ASIA/CHINA - New Cathedral and diocesan complex in Diocese of Hai Men consecrated, after 10 years of commitment of the faithful and dedication of deceased Bishop

Nan Tong (Agenzia Fides) – The Cathedral dedicated to the Good Shepherd, built with a Gothic style, of the Diocese of Hai Men (today Nan Tong), was consecrated on September 6, but was already a symbol of the city. The church – 27 meters high, 18 meters wide, and 35 long, with a bell tower at 50 meters – is part of the diocesan complex in Hai Men, which was also inaugurated the same day as the Cathedral, after 10 years of work, especially thanks to the efforts of the Bishop Yu Cheng Cai, who died in 2006 without seeing the finished product of his dreams.
According to information sent to Agenzia Fides, the complex is formed by the Convent of Religious, the Canon, the Formation Center, and the Cathedral: thus, 4 buildings for 5,800 meters squared surface area. The majority of the 18 million Yuan (equal to 1,700,000 Euros) were from offerings from the faithful. During the inauguration, even the local authorities present recognized that the new Cathedral has become a symbol for the city of Nan Yong.
The Diocese of Hai Men (today Nan Tong) now has over 67,000 faithful, some 20 churches open, a dozen priests, and 25 religious of the Congregation of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, active in the areas of pastoral work and evangelization. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 16/09/2009)