Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hua Lien (Agenzia Fides) - The Diocese of Hua Lien (Hwalien) joyfully celebrated the ordination of three new deacons on World Vocations Day, during which their Bishop Philip Huang Zhao Ming celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. According to a report from Christian Life Weekly, the weekly bulletin of the Archdiocese of Tai Pei, some 2,600 faithful joined 20 religious sisters in participating in the Mass celebrated in the Cathedral that was presided by Bishop Huang, together with 36 concelebrants. As the new deacons were from among the native peoples, there were also performances of song and dance typical of the native cultures, with guests, family members, and friends from their communities. The new deacons later distributed Holy Communion, positioned on either side of the Bishop.
According to the Catholic Church Directory of Taiwan 2004, the Diocese of Hua Lien (Hwalien), founded on July 15, 1963, registers 56,262 lay faithful, 2 bishops, 54 priests, 5 religious brothers (not priests), 120 religious sisters, 16 seminarians (9 Major and 7 Minor), 25 catechists, 45 parishes, 151 missionary stations, 17 semi-public churches, 1 professional school with 680 students, 1 middle school with 1,572 students, 17 pre-schools with 1,092 children, 1 college, 1 monthly publication, 1 hospital with capacity for 34,028 patients, 2 clinics with a capacity of 6, 200 patients, 2 houses for the elderly, with a capacity of 117 tenants and 2 Rehabilitation Centers for mentally disturbed children, with a capacity of 43 tenants. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 29/4/2008; righe 19, parole 244)
