ASIA/CHINA - Diocese of Ning Xia celebrates Congress of Year for Priests with their 98-year-old Bishop

Yin Chuan (Agenzia Fides) – The celebration of the Year for Priests, in communion with the Universal Church and following the guidelines given by Pope Benedict XVI, continues to be a more widely participated event among Catholics on the mainland. Agenzia Fides received news that the Diocese of Ning Xia, in the northwestern part of the continent, celebrated a Congress for the Year for Priests on the feast of the Queenship of Mary on August 22. It was the largest gathering of the diocese, in the presence of its 98-year-old Bishop Liu Jing Shan. During his address, Bishop Joseph Li Jing, Coadjutor Bishop, highlighted the reason behind the date chosen: “we call for the maternal intercession of Our Lady for priests, faithful, and the diocese.” He also presented the life of St. John Mary Vianney, recommending three points: “the faithful should take spiritual care of the priests (not only the priests of the faithful); the priest should give his all in trying to be a good priest, with the help of the Lord and everyone; the priest should also be a good pastor.” In his address, the Coadjutor also asked the priests not to neglect making their Confession nor hearing the confessions of the faithful, as the Sacrament of Reconciliation is fundamental. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 09/09/2009)