Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Wei Nan (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic community of Lu Dong, of the Diocese of Tong Zhou (present-day Wei Nan), of the Province of Shaan Xi, has lived its last 100 years without a single church. This era came to an end August 4 and 5, when two solemn celebrations of consecration took place for two new churches. The events were attended by a total of over 3,000 faithful. The celebrations included a Eucharistic Procession, followed by festivities including fireworks, especially in honor of the Immaculate Conception, to whom one of the churches is dedicated.
The community of Lu Dong, in the Diocese of Tong Zhou, is currently comprised of over 1,000 faithful from two towns. This site also served as a refuge for the Italian Franciscan Bishop Francesco Magi de Dervio (1766-1785) during times of persecution. It has always been a poor and underdeveloped area, historically speaking. Since 1995, thanks to an effort made by the priests and faithful of the area, and the help from Catholics of other communities, a prayer group has been formed and they have been able to build a formation center, a small shrine, a home for the elderly, and a visitor’s residence. There is also a “Catholic Artists’ Group.” Thus, the consecration of the two new churches, one in each town, has been an important moment in history for the faithful of these two communities. The Catholics of Lu Dong have finally been able to say farewell to those 100 years without a church.
The Diocese of Tong Zhou (present-day Wei Nan), an Italian Franciscan mission, today has 12,000 faithful, 26 priests, about 40 sisters, and 3 major seminarians. There are also about 20 minor seminarians studying or carrying out pastoral services in other dioceses and communities. 35 churches have been reopened in recent years. The diocese also runs 5 clinics and 2 shelters. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 1/9/2008)
