Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Zhou Cun (Agenzia Fides) - Moving home can be an opportunity for evangelisation. This is seen from the experience of a now flourishing Catholic community in Shang Dong. Three hundred years ago a handful of Catholic families in search of a better life moved from Zao Qiang, in the north of He Bei province to Bo Xing, in the diocese of Zhou Cun, province of Shan Dong. Despite difficulties, the small community clung to the faith. They formed a small prayer groups and much later in 1886 built a church in the village of Dong Yang, which became the symbol of the community. Thanks to a life of Christian witness, Christian matrimony and family and daily contact with people, the faith spread and Bo Xing soon became a cradle for vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life, giving the Church besides priests and women religious also bishops such as the present Bishop Li Ming Shu of the diocese of Qing Dao and Bishop Xing Wen Zhi auxiliary bishop of Shang Hai. Today sons and daughters of Bo Xing are involved in evangelisation and pastoral work in various parts of the country : some teach at the National Seminary, some work in parishes, others in social and charity activity or catechism…..
Zhou Cun diocese, created in 1946, started a Mission opened by Franciscans from the United States. According to the Guide to the Catholic Church in China 2004 the diocese has 35,000 Catholics 12 priests, 60 churches and 360 Basic Ecclesial Communities. Bishop Xing Wen Zhi was ordained in the diocese of Zhou Cun. (Agenzia Fides 04/07/2006 Righe: 27 Parole: 299)
