Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Chang Sha (Agenzia Fides) - Catholics in various parts of China are using prayers, charity and almsgiving to help people stranded because of exceptional snow calls. According to Faith bulletin published in He Bei, Catholic communities are helping to rescue persons affected by the heaviest snow falls in the last fifty years. Local Bishops and clergy in the affected areas report.
From diocese of Chang Sha, Hu Nan province, one of the most affected areas, Fr Li Hong Mo reports: “when the emergency happened we asked the faithful to give all the help they could with offerings in money as well as prayers, according to their means. During that Mass we collected 500 Euro. We have distributed 100 blankets to people stranded in railway stations and elderly people living alone. We are about to start Lent and the Pope has encouraged us to intensify our prayers and charity and almsgiving. The Lord has offered us this opportunity for charity and all we have to do is take it”.
A report from Rev Shuai Zi Qiang, Yi Chang diocese, Hu Bei province, read: “snow seriously damaged the roof of one of our churches built 100 years ago. Our farmers have lost their harvests. We pray the Lord will give us the strength to overcome this trial with faith, hope and charity. We have advised older Catholics that it is safer not to go out, to pray at home, and we will do our best to take Holy Communion to them”. In Wu Han parish in the main town in the province, Rev Lu Bin said: “many of our young people commute to work in other towns and we pray they may reach home safely every night or remain where they are until the snow and ice melt”.
Bishop Xiao Ze Jiang, coadjutor bishop of the diocese of Gui Zhou, ordained last year said: “we have told the faithful not to risk coming to church in these conditions. However we have said it is important to pray at home that the Lord may help us all at this difficult time”. The Bishop and several priests visited the faithful in affected areas leaving them with a special Blessing and an offering of money for their needs. “This tragedy is proving to be a time of intense communion, faith, hope and charity” said Bishop Xiao. Catholics in less affected areas have been asked to pray and collect funds for snow victims. Rev Feng Rong Hua, in Jiang Xi province, said: “most of the few Catholics here are very poor, but they have been generously offering prayers for all, especially the Holy Rosary ”. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 01/02/2008 - righe 33, parole 461)
