Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mei Zhou (Agenzia Fides) – Bishop Liao Hong Qing of the Diocese of Mei Zhou, in the province of Guang Dong, in the southern part of continental China, inaugurated a new state school built with contributions from Chinese Catholics, inside and outside the country. Along with the inauguration of the building, students have begun classes. Members if the Saint Vincent de Paul Society from Hong Kong were present, along with the Christian Brothers from Malaysia and local authorities, along with the 400 children who attend the school. The new building, which includes 4 auditoriums, is dedicated to Saint Vincent. The school is a public school, although one-third of its students are Catholic. The school was also attended by Bishop Liao, born in 1966, ordained on July 25, 1991, and consecrated Bishop on September 26, 2003.
The head of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society in Hong Kong said: “we have given 39,800 US dollars and collaborated with the Diocese of Mei Zhou and the local authorities. Now we are evaluating for the construction of a school building in the area in Si Chuan affected by the earthquake.” The Society also runs several Centers for lepers in continental China. The current Diocese of Mei Zhou was a mission of the Paris Foreign Missions (MEP). It was established as a Apostolic Prefecture of Jia Ying in 1929, then Apostolic Vicariate of Jia Yin in 1935, and finally, it was elevated to Diocese in 1946, the year of the institution of the hierarchy in China, with the first Bishop Francis Xavier Ford, MM (Maryknoll). It became the Diocese of Mei Zhou in 1981, according to a new administrative division. This diocese is also home to the hometown of Cardinal J.B. Wu Cheng-Chung. Today, the diocese has nearly 40,000 faithful, 8 priests, 42 parishes and missionary stations. There is also a Diocesan Congregation entitled Holy Mother Missionary Sisters, who have 6 sisters and are very active in pastoral and missionary life. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 3/10/2008)
