ASIA/CHINA - Retreat for priests and ordination of two priests in Archdiocese of Beijing

Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – The encyclical "Deus Caritas Est" of Pope Benedict XVI was the theme of spiritual retreat for priests of the Archdiocese of Beijing, which took place October 18 to 21 at the diocesan seminary. The priests, following the advice of the spiritual director, Fr. Joseph Loftus, CM, shared their experiences of priestly life and community life based on an intimate relationship with the Lord. They also touched on the challenges and practical difficulties experienced by priests in the performance of daily pastoral tasks. According to information received by Fides, during the four days of prayer, listening, sharing, and celebration, the priests were encouraged and spiritually recharged in their vocational journey, in the work of evangelization, and in pastoral care. Archbishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing urged priests to be the protagonists of evangelization, companions of the catechumens and faithful, to reflect the light of Christ on them.
On October 28, Archbishop Li Shan ordained two new diocesan priests. The ceremony was concelebrated by 59 priests, in the presence of over 1,000 faithful. The two new priests studied at the Seminary of the Archdiocese of Beijing from 2000 to 2005, then continued their studies and received their licentiate at the Catholic University in Seoul, South Korea, from 2005 to 2010. After the ceremony, they thanked the Lord for having called them to the priesthood, and thanked all those who have contributed to helping them mature in their vocation, as well as the many Korean friends who were present at the ordination. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 04/11/2010)