ASIA/MACAO - Exhibition on the History of the Catholic Church in Macao to mark 430 years of Macao diocese and 40 years of Communications Centre

Macao (Fides Service) - “Respect life, live in harmony, protect the environment” is the theme launched by the diocese of Macao to mark 430 years of the creation of the diocese and 40 years of service of Macao Diocesan Communications Centre.
On 23 January the diocese celebrated the anniversary. An exhibition on the History of the Catholic Church in Macao was opened by the Bishop Joseph Li Hong Sheng. The exhibition, which focuses on the efforts different bishops in these four centuries to help the Church to grow, offers Catholics of today an opportunity to know more about their community and the characteristics and legacy of the previous bishops who guided the community.
Macao Diocesan Communications Centre, opened 40 years ago, plays an important part in evangelisation, co-ordination of diocesan apostolate with audio-visual means and to help the Christian message reach society and public opinion .
Macao diocese was created on 23 January 1576 in the time of Pope Gregory XIII. The patron saints are St Francis Xavier and St Catherine of Sienna. The first bishop was Melchior Carneiro a Jesuit. Various religious orders, besides the Jesuits, helped evangelise the area including and are still active today, Franciscans, Augustinians, Dominicans and Poor Clare Sisters. The Bishop, Joseph Li Hong Sheng, appointed coadjutor by Pope John Paul II 20 March 2001 became Bishop on 30 June 2003. According to diocesan statistics in Macao there are 20 Catholic churches, 6 parishes, 7 mission stations, 87 priests, 11 communities of men religious, 25 communities of women religious, 39 Catholic schools and 48 charity institutions or social service centres. (Agenzia Fides 25/01/2006 righe: 26 parole: 235)