Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – To give thanks to God, strengthen the faith of the flock entrusted to their care, promote evangelisation and pastoral activity, pray together for the Catholic Church in China and for the universal Church led by Pope Benedict XVI: with these intentions two newly ordained Bishops made recent pastoral visits to their respective communities.
Reports sent to Fides said that Bishop Joseph Cai Bing Rui, of the diocese of Xiamen (Hsiamen/Amoy), aged 44, 18 years of priesthood, ordained a Bishop of 8 May 2010 with the approval of the Holy See and then acknowledged by the Chinese authorities - visited the church of Quan Zhou on the solemnity of Corpus Christi and presided Mass in the presence of the local Catholic community which had been waiting for several decades for its own bishop. “The young Bishop encouraged his people to pray for the Church in China, and for the universal Church, to adore Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and to receive Holy Communion frequently to nourish intimate dialogue with Jesus”. After presiding Mass and leading the prayers of Adoration, as Bishop Joseph Cai Bing Rui greeted the members of the community individually he told them, “as your Bishop I wish to know the members of my flock one by one and my flock needs to feel the closeness of their Bishop”.
From 28 May to 1 June, Bishop Paolo Meng Qinglu, aged 47 years, the new Bishop of Hohhot (Inner Mongolia), ordained a bishop on 18 April 2010 with the approval of the Holy See, made a pastoral visit to Tai Qi, where he administered the Sacraments and discussed pastoral activity and evangelisation with members of Basic Ecclesial Communities. Welcomed with enthusiasm by the faithful, the Bishop presided several Masses at which local priests who have served the local community for years concelebrated. He administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 350 young adults and visited 9 parishes. Commenting the pastoral visit one local priest said: “our community of 16,700 faithful drew great encouragement from the visit of such a young Bishop, filled with pastoral zeal”. The diocese of Hohhot has 50,000 Catholics, served by 20 priests and 17 Sisters. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 15/06/2010 - righe 30; parole 344)
