ASIA/CHINA - Even the Catholic community of Shaan Xi is praying for the earthquake victims in Christchurch, remembering their own similar tragic experience

Xi An (Agenzia Fides) – In spiritual support for those who survived the earthquake which hit Christchurch in New Zealand and for emergency workers, prayer, the Rosary, Holy Mass and fundraising for the victims (and their families), distinguish the recent main commitment by the Catholic community of Shaan Xi province (about 230,000 faithful, eight dioceses).
According to information sent to Fides, on 22 February, when the news of the earthquake in New Zealand began to spread, the community immediately mobilised in prayer for the victims and emergency workers. In the Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Xi An, capital of the province, Holy Mass was celebrated for the victims on 27 February. The faithful in the Diocese of Zhou Zhi included everyone in reciting the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy.
Some zones in this province have previously experienced the same drama of an earthquake, for which some of the faithful said: “when we experienced the earthquake, we received so much solidarity. New Zealand is far away. We cannot be on the emergency front lines but this doesn't change our desire to express our solidarity to the victims in Christchurch. Prayer is the best thing. We experienced this first hand.” Catholic social service and charity organisations in Shaan Xi are collecting donations from all communities for the victims in New Zealand. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 01/03/2011)