Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Han Dan (Agenzia Fides) - For many years Han Dan diocese in China has given priority to helping the weaker members of society, the poor, the marginalised. According to the diocesan web site, the Diocesan Centre for Catholic Social Service has become a point of reference and represents the diocese in society. The centre organises assistance according to need (assist victims of natural disasters, help poor children go to school. Visiting the sick, the disabled, broken families is the daily activity of the Centre whose members offer moral comfort and concrete help. Recently women religious of the Jin De Catholic Association were asked to give a talk on the prevention of AIDS. One interesting fact is that the volunteers at the Centre are not all Christians, and the funds are donated and managed by Christians and non Christians. So besides being appreciated for its good work the Centre also offers living witness of collaboration between the Catholic community and society.
Han Dan diocese has a population of 8.380.000 including 130,000 Catholics. The area was evangelised by Jesuit missionary Fr. Matteo Ricci in 1500. Han Dan apostolic vicariate created in 1933, prefecture in 1929 was raised to the rank of diocese on 6 July 1946. It has over 100 churches and chapels, 58 priests, 40 seminarians and 200 women religious members of 2 diocesan congregations. The diocese runs several dispensaries, medical centres, and social assistance centres. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 05/10/2007 - righe 27, parole 323 )
