Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Xi’an (Agenzia Fides) - Archbishop Anthony Li Du’an of the archdiocese of Xi’an, province of Shaanxi, died on 25 May, Ascension Thursday, at the age of 80. Born on 13 June 1927 and ordained a priest on 11 April 1951 he was ordained a bishop 5 April 1987. As a priest he spent 20 years in prison for the faith and he often spoke of his terrible experience of forced labour and gaol.
Since Archbishop Li Du’an took over the archdiocese it developed greatly thanks to his pastoral zeal. He gave special attention to the formation of new priests and women religious for which he arranged adequate structures. In 1985 on the cathedral premises he opened a regional seminary for the provinces of north west China. Ten years later in 1995 the seminary was moved to a larger more suitable building in the south of the city. Hundreds of priests were formed at the seminary.
By opening the regional seminary and a formation centre for nuns he did a great service to the archdiocese and the whole province. As archbishop he followed carefully the situations in the 8 dioceses in Shaanxi, visiting the bishops and meeting the clergy showing understanding and deep concern for the good of the local Church and the work of evangelisation. Despite his failing health he worked to the end.
The archdiocese of Xi’an has more than 20.000 Catholics and about 30 priests most of them young. There are 44 churches and places of cultural activity. At the major seminary there are 156 seminarians from 35 different dioceses and 65 boys attend the minor seminary.
There are 310 Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart working in the archdiocese and 64 sisters from 21 different congregations studying at Xi-an Formation House. The archdiocese runs a Social Service Centre and an Office for Diocesan Communication
Until the funeral presided the body of the archbishop was exposed in the cathedral for three days and Masses were said for him there was the recitation of the Rosary. The funeral was presided by his successor Mgr Anthony Dang Mingyan on 28 May at the parish church of Gongyi in Litong, where the deceased archbishop was parish priest. About 5,000 people were present as well as a number of bishops and circa 100 priests. (Agenzia Fides 31/5/2006 - Righe 31; Parole 419)
