ASIA/CHINA - Mourning Chinese Catholics attended early Masses for the Pope in every chapel and church in Beijing: “Mission continues”

Beijing (Fides Service) - “Although he never made the longed desired journey to China, John Paul II is already working miracles in this country. Like the seed which dies and bears fruit the Holy Father’s mission in China starts now”, a priest in Beijing told Fides, with regard to the reaction in the Chinese capital to the death of the Pope.
Every morning masses for the Pope are said in all the chapels and churches. Yesterday the main masses were at the Immaculate Conception parish in south Beijing and Holy Saviour parish in the north. This morning the main mass was at St Joseph’s parish in the east of the capital and tomorrow it will be at the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the west.
A statement issued by the Official Catholic Church in China reads as follows: “the death of Pope John Paul II is an enormous loss for the evangelising and pastoral mission of the universal Church. We encourage special prayers and mass for the repose of his soul in parishes and diocese. We pray the Lord will give the Holy Father eternal life”.
Meanwhile priests in Beijing said “Today is an historic day in China. During the homily we reminded the faithful of the Pope’s messages to us. His mission continues. Life has gone from his body but his soul is in the glory of God”.
(Agenzia Fides 5/04/2005 Righe: 26 Parole: 286)