Macao (Fides Service) - The Catholic Bishop of Macao diocese, Bishop José Lai Hung-seng, has appointed Father Luis Lei Xavier episcopal delegate for pastoral care of Portuguese speaking Catholics for a five year mandate.
According to the Pontifical Year Book, the diocese of Macao, a former Portuguese colony restored to China in 1999 and now a Special Administrative Region like Hong Kong, has 18,122 Catholics gathered in 8 parishes, assisted by 24 diocesan priests, 52 religious priests, 64 Brothers 171 women Religious. Moreover the local Church in Macao runs 68 schools of all grades and 24 charitable institutes. On 30 June 2003Bishop Mons. José Lai Hung-seng succeeded Bishop Domingos Lam ka Tseung who retired.
(Agenzia Fides 28/07/2004 Lines: 13 Words: 138)