Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) - The teaching of Jesus, Pope Benedict XVI’s Encyclical Deus Caritas Est, the diocesan and social situation, urgency and responsibility in the fields of evangelisation and pastoral care, combating consumerism and secularisation were the main themes of a six page Easter message, Come and See, issued to every parish by Bishop Jin Lu Xian of the diocese of Shang Hai.
“With the title ‘Come and See’ I wish to say that the Lord continues to call us but we are not always ready to cooperate”: “I want to watch my favourite TV film”, “I want to use my play-station”, “I must watch my stocks and shares”, “I want to go to the games room”. “Our life is filled with desires for power, fame, social position, money and material things and we have little time to go to church”. “But this will not do!” says Bishop Jin, urging his people to withstand the temptations of consumerism, easy gain and the secular mindset.
In the message Bishop Jin Lu Xian underlines the urgency of evangelisation in the light of Pope Benedict XVI encyclical’s Deus Caritas est, sincerely admitting his responsibility as the bishop of the diocese, he writes: “The Pope mentions three main commitments. Evangelisation take first place for all Christians. According to our 2005 statistics the diocese has 1,484 baptised members. As the bishop I assume my responsibility. Today the diocese has 141 churches and all church members must mobilise for evangelisation… In 1949 there were 3 million Catholics, today the official figure is a little over 6 million. Let us imitate the shepherds and the Three Wise Men, and Mary of Magdala and go to meet Jesus… among the poor, the sick, our neighbours. Remove the obstacles and walls in front of your eyes, clean your ears that you may hear the voice of truth, the call of the Lord: ‘Come and See ”. Shang Hai diocese is one of the largest in China. It has today 104,000 Catholics, assisted by about 70 priests and a hundred women religious. (NZ)(Agenzia Fides 13/04/2007 Righe: 35 Parole: 410)
