Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Han Dan (Agenzia Fides) – The faithful of the Diocese of Han Dan celebrated Chinese New Year as an opportunity to relaunch the evangelization of the Pauline Year. Two parishes, that of Gua Jing and the that of Wang Bai, were consecrated and were officially opened during the celebration of the Chinese New Year. The parish of Long Quan and the parish of Zhu Zhuang celebrated their 10th anniversary of foundation. According to a local priest, “the church is a symbol of the Church. Even the work in building it and in making the necessary restorations are part of our growth in the faith and evangelization.”
The presence of many immigrant workers is one of the characteristics of the Diocese of Han Dan. Taking advantage of the fact that many youth who work elsewhere return home for the celebration of Chinese New Year, the Diocese organized activities with them, to strengthen their fiath and help them in their insertion in the workplace, the city, and the local Catholic community. During the encounters, the youth (also encouraged by their parents, many of whom are very devout Catholics and are concerned about the faith life of their children) reflected with the priests and religious on how to intensify their relationship with the Lord and live a life of prayer. Lastly, the priest sent them out as missionaries, with a special blessing at the Mass, that they may be missionaries in their workplace.
Children are the diocesan priority in pastoral care. For the Year of St. Paul, the Cathedral organized a Catechism Contest for children. Over 100 children and young people between the ages of 7 and 15 participated in the Contest, which took place on February 4. There were individual and parish awards given out. One priest from the Diocese of Han Dan, who communicated the information on the local Church to Agenzia Fides, said: “all this shows that we are an active and well-received community within society.” During the Easter Vigil 2008 alone, 752 people were baptized.
The Diocese of Han Dan, which encompasses 19 civil districts, is located in the southern part of the province of He Bei and has over 130,000 Catholics, of a population of 8.3 million people. The evangelization of the diocese dates back to the great missionary Jesuit Fr. Matteo Ricci, in the 1500s. There are now hundreds of churches and chapels, 58 priests, 50 seminarians, and 200 religious sisters who belong to the two diocesan congregations. The diocese also runs several clinics and social aid centers. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 09/02/2009)
