Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hohhot (Fides Service) - Bishop John Wang Xixian of the archdiocese of Hohhot in the Inner Mongolia region of China died of on Wednesday 25 May at the age of 79 after two years of suffering with bone cancer. John Wang was born to Catholic parents on 21 May 1926. He was ordained a priest in 1953 and taught at the diocesan seminary until he was arrested in 1957 and sent to prison for the faith. After 21 years of forced labour he was released and in 1980 he returned to his ministry at the cathedral and teaching at the seminary. On June 24, 1997 he was ordained a bishop.
All who knew Bishop Wang remember him as a very good man, deeply spiritual loved and respected by all. During the Cultural Revolution he remained loyal to Christ and the Church. In the last two years of his life as he struggled with bone cancer he was lovingly care for by the local Catholic community grateful for his work of reconciliation. When near the end he was told that the Pope had been informed of his illness and assured him his prayers, Bishop Wang murmured “I am unworthy of such consideration”.
In the archdiocese of Hohhot there are 50,000 Catholics: there are 50 young priests, about 100 women religious and 40 seminarians. Vocations are flourishing. The funeral was held on 31 May at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Hohhot. (Agenzia Fides 6/6/2005, righe 18, parole 258)
