Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tian Jin (Agenzia Fides) - Proud Catholics in Tian Jin diocese rejoiced as eight young men ordained priests at the hands of Bishop Jin Pei Xian of the diocese of Liao Ning and 100 lay people received Confirmation. The solemn Mass was attended by over 1,500 Catholic faithful and 30 women religious. About 70 priests concelebrated including three Marynoll missionaries who were visiting Tian Jin. Since the death of Bishop Shi Hong Chen of Tian Jin, in 2005, Tian Jin diocese has to invite other bishops, such as Bishop Jin to administer the sacraments.
The 8 new priests come from Cang Zhou (He Bei), Tai Yuan (Shan Xi) and Xi An (Shaan Xi). Two other priests were ordained in Wu Han diocese, Hu Bei province, whose Bishop Dong Guang Qing, died in May. Maryknoll missionary Fr Peter Barry, said he hoped the new priests would be “good shepherds for the flock”. One of the newly ordained priests say: “I give myself to Our Lady because without her presence the vocation would be in danger, without prayer the priest would lose vitality”. After the Ordination Bishop Jin administered the Sacrament on Confirmation to about 100 lay people. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 23/11/2007 - righe 21, parole 247)
