Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cang Zhou (Agenzia Fides) - The diocese of Xian Xian (today Cang Zhou) gave a joyful welcome to 4 new priests and 6 deacons ordained in September. According to “Faith” magazine published in He Bei, with these ordinations Cang Zhou diocese has overtaken the one hundred mark of diocesan priests. Crowds of Catholics attended the Ordination Mass in the cathedral presided by Bishop Li Lian Gui. More than 100 priests from the dioceses of Heng Shuim Xing Tai, Shi Jia Zhuang, and even from the distant diocese of Ning Bo, concelebrated. The families and friends of the new priests and deacons were among those present
The diocese of Xian Xian (oggi Cang Zhou) dates to the year 1313, when Giovanni from Montecorvino was Archbishop of Peking. In June 1924 the old Vicariate Apostolic of Tcheli-Southeast was raised to the rank of diocese of Xian Xian. Today it has 85,000 Catholics, 206 churches and chapels and 100 priests, 259 women religious, 46 major seminarians and 40 minors. The diocese has completed the structure of diocesan church bodies, as Pope Benedict XVI requested in his recent Letter the Chinese Catholics (cfr. n. 10). With the help of the universal Catholic community the local community has sent dozens of priests and nuns to study in other countries. An average of 100 baptisms are registered in the diocese every year. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 8/10/2007 - righe 18, parole 233)
