ASIA/CHINA - The Chinese Catholic community in Italy, young and small, increasingly active in pastoral ministry and organized in its composition

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - The Chinese Catholic community of the diaspora living in Italy is showing itself to be increasingly active in pastoral activities and evangelization; better organised in its composition, thanks to support from the Migrants Foundation of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI), led by Msgr. Piergiorgio Saviola. In fact, this young and small community is showing signs of considerable growth. A pilgrimage to Rome for Chinese persons was organized May 23-25, as well as the first Day of Prayer for the Church in China, according to the indications of Pope Benedict XVI. The first Pastoral Ministry and Evangelization Congress for Chinese persons was also organized in Italy.
During the pilgrimage, on May 25, they prayed the Angelus with the Holy Father in Saint Peter’s Square; participated in a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Dias, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, on May 24 in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major; and visited many important sites in the history of Christianity. The large participation in the Mass at Saint Mary Major let the Italian public catch a glimpse of this “little Chinese flock,” and strengthen contact and dialogue among the Chinese communities living throughout Italy.
The Chinese Catholic community of Milan is actively participating in pastoral ministry activities, thanks to contributions from faithful, volunteers, and chaplains. The faithful themselves have raised the necessary funds for all the activities, such as the publication of a Catholic community newspaper that will serve to spread the word regarding witnesses to the faith and news from the community. On the last Saturday of every month, various family takes turns hosting a prayer meeting with the other families. They collaborate in going to the railway station to pick up a priest who has come from Rome, to help them in their pastoral needs. They also organize summer catechism classes for children, Italian classes, drawing classes for children, tutoring for youth (in math, physics, chemistry). In October they will be assigned a permanent chaplain, who is right now Deacon Domenico Liu, who is already assisting the head of the Chinese community in Italy, Father Pietro Cui. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 09/07/2008)