Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lan Zhou (Fides Service) - The difficulties in missionary work; challenges in the new year; valorise the role of the laity, young people in particular; basic Church communities, where the main topics discussed at a recent Congress on Evangelisation held in the diocese of Lan Zhou, in the north west of mainland China.
The Catholic community of Lan Zhou is very active. Besides prayer groups, catechism classes, Bible Study and regular retreats, the community promotes various forms of evangelisation especially around Christmas and Easter to lead more non Christians to know Jesus Christ. Last Christmas the diocese circulated leaflets, questionnaires and prizes, and also organised a faith play to portray the essential significance of the Nativity. After the play on Christmas Eve many non Christians stayed to watch midnight Mass.
La Zhou diocese, formerly a mission opened by the Divine Word Missionaries, has today a community of 30,000 Catholics, assisted by 18 priests, 120 women religiou and there are 32 seminarians and there are 38 churches and chapels. (Agenzia Fides 9/02/2006 Righe: 24 Parole: 241)
