ASIA/CHINA - Bishop Joseph Shen Bin leads the prayer for peace and recalls that "the Church is built on the rock of the Apostle Peter"

Tuesday, 29 August 2023 local churches baptism catechumens peace

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Shanghai (Agenzia Fides) - The Church "is built on the rock of the Apostle Peter", and the newly baptized are called to be "salt of the earth and light of the world", in their daily life they share with their companions, following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. These are some of the considerations proposed by Joseph Shen Bin, Bishop of Shanghai during the solemn liturgical celebration over which he presided in the Cathedral of Shanghai on Sunday August 27, a liturgy during which 36 catechumens received baptism and the first sacraments of Christian life. Joseph Shen Bin, former bishop of Xiamen, was appointed head of the diocese of Shanghai by Pope Francis on July 14.

During his homily, Bishop Shen Bin started from the Gospel passage proposed by the liturgy of the day, which recounts the dialogue between Jesus and the Apostles at Caesarea Philippi, during which Peter makes his profession of faith ("You are the Christ, the Son of the living God", Mt 16,16). He stressed that "the Church is built on the rock of the Apostle Peter" and encouraged the newly baptized to ask for a faith as simple and strong as that of the Prince of the Apostles. To find in faith the strength to assume the expectations and sufferings of one's neighbor and of the society of which one is a part, to treat one's fellow citizens with a benevolent heart and a will to help, in order to contribute to the peaceful development of the world and to the prosperity of the country. Bishop Shen Bin also urged all Catholics to pray for peace in the world and for the good of humanity, which is plagued by wars and conflicts. The prayer for world peace was launched to coincide with the commemoration of the 78th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the end of World War II. "Be reborn in the Lord" he urged "and be one with all in love". Bishop Shen Bin had just returned to his episcopal see after a pastoral visit to Inner Mongolia from August 6 to 11, in the company of 37 priests and lay people from the diocese of Shanghai. The Shanghai group was then welcomed by Bishop Paul Meng Qinglu, Bishop of Hohhot, and Bishop Antonio Yao Shun, Bishop of the Diocese of Jining, the first Chinese bishop ordained after the signing of the China-Holy See agreement on episcopal appointments, and who had chosen as episcopal motto the words "Jesus Misericordes sicut Pater", which have become the leitmotiv of the Jubilee of Mercy. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 29/8/2023)