ASIA/CHINA - Diocese of Shanghai: Young priests pray for peace in the Holy Land

Friday, 20 October 2023 peace   wars   prayer   priests   formation  

Beijing (Agenzia Fides) - "Let us pray for a ceasefire between Palestinians and Israelis and ask that peace return to the Holy Land as soon as possible" was the focus of the Holy Mass celebrated by the Bishop of Shanghai, Joseph Shen Am, celebrated with the young diocesan priests as part of the training course organized by the diocese for vicars and priests who have been ordained in recent years. The course took place in Shanghai from October 16th to 18th. The bishop celebrated the mass on October 17, a day that Pope Francis proclaimed as a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the Holy Land, following the invitation of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
As part of the training course for vicars and priests who have been ordained in recent years, Bishop Shen Bin and some priests with many years of experience in priestly and ministry spoke to the new generation of priests about their priestly career and recalled the original calling that led them to to follow the call of the Lord. The participants of the course considered the tasks and duties of a priest in the Church, as well as the virtues and qualities that a priest should exercise in his ministry: a strong sense of responsibility, maximum commitment, a clear vision of the service he has for the mission of the Church.
The course was attended on behalf of the government by the deputy head of the media department of the Shanghai Municipal Office of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, who explained how to apply the use of new information technologies by religious institutions and communities of believers. The official highlighted how Catholic digital platforms (associated with parishes, associations, etc.) must be used in a manner that complies with legal requirements. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 20/10/2023)


Share: