ASIA/CHINA - First steps of the new Bishop Peter Wu in the province of Fujian, in the sign of episcopal communion and synodality

Wednesday, 28 February 2024 local churches   bishops   synodality  

Mindong (Agenzia Fides) - In recent weeks, coinciding with the Chinese New Year holiday, the ecclesial life of the Catholic community of the Chinese coastal province of Fujian has been marked by the beginning of the episcopal ministry of Peter Wu Yishun, Bishop of the Apostolic Prefecture of Shaowu (Minbei). The first days after the arrival of the new Bishop were marked by concelebrations which also manifested in liturgical form the episcopal communion and synodality between the diocesan communities of Fujian.
Among the first liturgies celebrated by the new Bishop after his consecration was that which took place in the church dedicated to Saint Joseph in his hometown of Ningde (Tashan village, Chengnan county in Jiaocheng district). Vincent Zhan Silu, bishop of Mindong - the diocese where Ningde is located - concelebrated the mass together with Bishop Peter Wu and 35 priests. The liturgy was also attended by 45 religious sisters, consecrated lay people and many lay people from the parish. During the mass, Bishop Vincent Zhan sent his congratulations and best wishes to the new bishop appointed by Pope Francis on December 16, 2023 and consecrated on January 29, dedicating to him an inscription bearing the Chinese expression "Bai Lian Cheng Gang " ("You have become very strong after a long period of trial").
On February 15, the two Bishops had already concelebrated together the solemn mass of dedication of the new church of Wucuo, in the village of Tashan, with 43 priests. Amid the Chinese New Year celebrations, Bishop Vincent Zhan Silu had already presided over the dedication of St. Peter's Church in Jiahutoum (Mindong diocese) and consecrated the new altar of the Fengdu church (Gutian district) after its restoration. Peter Wu Yishun, born December 7, 1964, was ordained a priest on August 15, 1992 for the Diocese of Xiamen. Subsequently sent to Minbei, he carried out his pastoral service there, holding, among others, the role of Parish Priest of Nanping and head of the Apostolic Prefectures of Shaowu and Jian'ou. Today, the Diocese of Mindong has 70,000 baptized Catholics. The diocesan community pays particular attention to charitable works aimed at the elderly, the disabled and orphans. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 28/2/2024)


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