Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Zheng Zhou (Fides Service) - In mainland China a new church dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes has been opened in the diocese of Zheng Zhou, south of Beijing. According to Faith Catholic bulletin published in Hebei, more than 20 priests concelebrated the Mass of inauguration attended by thousands of local people. For the occasion, the local Church received messages of congratulations from town and provincial civic authorities. The new church cost 500,000 Euro to build. It covers an area of 840 sq. mt., it is 41 metres long, 25 metres high and 15 metres wide. Besides the actual church, the building comprises 70 rooms. The foundation stone was laid in 2003 and the building was completed in May 2004. When the furnishing and bureaucratic formalities were completed, the church was opened about a month ago.
Zheng Zhou diocese, 695 km south of Beijing started as a mission opened by Italian missionaries of St Francis Xavier from Parma. In 1924 it was made an apostolic vicariate and in 1946 a diocese, run by the Xaverians. In 1954 the diocese had about 20,000 Catholics and 35 churches. Today there are about 30.000 Catholics.
(Agenzia Fides 03/05/2005 Righe: 18 Parole: 194)
