ASIA/CHINA - Catholic community in Qing Hai celebrates feasts of the Transfiguration and the Assumption in newly consecrated church

Xi Ning (Fides Service) - About 500 Catholics attended Mass on 6 August feast of the Transfiguration for the consecration of a new church in Hei Zui Er parish, diocese of Xi Ning, a mainly Muslim area. The same amount of people gathered in the new church for the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady on 15 August. The 500 faithful included parishioners, immigrant workers, businessmen and students. The church was built in record time, a little more than three months and cost about 37,000 Euro. The parish was established in 1923. As time passed the building, which could seat 300, became too small. So the parish priest rev. Qin Guo Liang decided that a new church must be built. Work started in April this year and the parish complex include also a small convent for a local community of women religious.
Xi Ning is the main town of Qing Hai the poorest province of mainland China. Most of the people are Muslims. The Apostolic prefecture of Xi Ning created in 1938 was entrusted to the Missionaries of the Divine Word. Today the diocese has a community of 3,100 Catholics, 3 priests 17 sisters and there are 19 churches and chapels where mass is celebrated regularly. (Agenzia Fides 30/08/2005 Righe: 21 Parole: 217)