ASIA/CHINA - Several churches restructured or newly built reopen for worship

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - According to information collected by Fides in October and November in mainland China several churches were consecrated and opened for worship. The churches had either been restructured or newly built. “This is a sign of the activity and hope of our Catholic community” local sources told Fides. The churches include Nan Liang Tai parish, diocese of Ba Meng, in northern Mongolia, first built in 1874; Yun Xiao parish, diocese of Xia Men, south Fu Jiang province, dedicated to Our Lady of China, built exclusively with offerings from the faithful for a total 70.000 euro; a new parish church at Liu He, diocese of Tai Yuan, Shan Xi province, with statues of the Sacred Heart, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Anthony, St Joseph and St Francis “we want to be near all the saints” the faithful say. On the occasion of the consecration of the parish church at Yun Cheng, an exhibition “The Light of Christ” was opened and thousands of missionary leaflets were handed out. During the consecration of a gothic style church dedicated to the Sacred Heart in the diocese of Han Dan, three new priests were ordained. In the parish church of St Joseph in the diocese of Lan Zhou, Gan Su province, the church has the shape of a boat to recall that the faithful are on a pilgrimage to the house of the Father. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 11/12/2007 - righe 22, parole 252)