Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - In the 80 dioceses of continental China, 13,608 people were baptized in the Easter Vigil 2008. In addition to the Sacrament of Baptism, the catechumens also received the other two sacraments of initiation: Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. The number 13,608 is the result of a provisory study done by the Chinese Catholic website Faith. The number of baptized in 2008 is much higher than that of 8,000 baptized on Easter in 2007. As well, many parishes and dioceses in China not only celebrate Baptisms on Easter, but throughout the entire liturgical year, according to the local needs. The Catholic site points out that although the numbers are encouraging, we always must keep in mind China’s total population, over 1.3 billion people, thus implying a greater responsibility for all Catholics.
In the Archdiocese of Beijing, there were about 500 baptized on Easter, 100 more than in 2007. Of the 500, 215 were from the parish of Most Holy Savior (in the north), 70 were from the parish of the Immaculate Conception (in the south), 68 were from Saint Joseph’s Parish (in the east), and 25 were from Saint Michael’s Parish. Among the newly baptized in the Diocese of Shang Hai, where baptisms have had to be celebrated all year long, there are 54 university students. In the Diocese of Tian Jing, near Beijing, there were about 20 baptized. In the Diocese of Chong Qing, there were over 500 baptized and another 400 in the Diocese of Wan Zhou, under the civil administration of Chong Qing.
In the northeastern part of the continent, there were over 600 baptized in the Diocese of Hei Long Jiang, 398 in the Diocese of Liao Ning, and 242 in that of Ji Lin.
In the northeast province, there were 201 in the diocese of Xi An, 150 in that of Feng Xiang, 46 in that of Wei Nan, 124 in that of Zhou Zhi, 28 in that of An Kang, 271 in that of Yan An (according to a local priest, the usual case is that every feast day have over 200 baptisms), 45 in that of Ping Liang, 56 in that of Lan Zhou, 235 in that of Lan Zhou, 235 in that of Tian Shui, 61 in that of Ning Xia, 100 in that of Qing Hai, and 37 in that of Wu Lu Mu Qi.
In the northern are of the continent: 200 were baptized in the Diocese of Wu Meng, 71 in that of Hu He Hao Te, 101 in that of Ba Meng, 84 in that of Bao Tou, 23 in that of Chi Feng, over 300 in that of Tai Yuan, over 200 in that of Chang Zhi, Jin Zhong, Fen Yang, Yun Cheng, Su Zhou in the province of Shan Xi. In the Diocese of Da Tong, there are very few Catholics, however there were 30 baptized. In the province of He Bei, there were 752 baptized in the Diocese of Han Dan, 300 in that of Heng Shui, 186 in that of Tang Shan, over 500 in that of Shi Jia Zhuang, 471 in that of Xing Tai, 48 in that of Bao Ding, 40 in that of Cheng De.
In the central zone of the continent: 45 were baptized in the Diocese of Zheng Zhou, 400 in that of An Yang, 100 in that of Kai Feng, 100 in that of Zhu Ma Dian, 57 in that of Wu Han, 30 in that of Yi Chang, 50 in that of Lao He Kou, 38 in that of Chang Sha, 240 in that of Jiang Xi.
On the eastern seaboard: 147 were baptized in the Diocese of Ji Nan, over 500 in that of LinYi, 187 in Zhou Cun, 6 in Yan Tai, 54 in Yan Zhou, 50 in He Ze, 27 in Yi Dou, 54 in Nan Jing and 1.283 in other dioceses.
Over 870 were baptized in the southeastern part of the continent, 957 in the southern provinces. There were also a few dozen baptisms in the southern most island of China, Hai Nan, Diocese of Hai Kou. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 9/4/2008; righe 45, parole 686)
