Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yi Chang (Agenzia Fides) - The towering cross belonging to Immaculate Conception parish in Yi Chang diocese, Hu Bei province of China has become a city symbol and a point of reference for the whole town. The parish, which has today 3,000 members, recently celebrated its 100 anniversary together with the whole diocese. The Anniversary Mass was presided by diocesan vicar general Rev Lv shou Wang and concelebrated by the parish priest Rev Li Guan Xue and about 20 priests in the presence of over 400 Catholics and dozens of women religious.
The church is the largest Gothic building in the area and in 100 years has become part of the history of the diocese and the city: “Every time I see our parish cross in the distance I am filled with love and feel impelled recite the Creed”.
Yi Chang diocese started as a mission opened by Franciscans from Belgium. It was part of the apostolic vicariate in the south-west of Hu Bei in 1870. It was made an apostolic Vicariate1924, and diocese in 1946. The diocese has about 25,200 Catholics, thirty priests and about forty women religious.(NZ) (Agenzia Fides 16/12/2006 Righe: 50 Parole: 586)
