ASIA/CHINA - Churches damaged by typhoons, ecclesial communities launch aid and reconstruction initiatives

Shanghai (Agenzia Fides) - After Typhoon Yagi destroyed and damaged six churches on the island of Hainan, Typhoon Bebinca - the most powerful since 1949 - hit the Pudong area of Shanghai on September 16, affecting more than ten churches in the area, including the century-old church dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, one of the most beautiful churches in the diocese of Shanghai, which suffered 80% damage to its structure. The water reached the altar and the sacristy, and an 18-meter stained glass window was shattered, forcing liturgical celebrations to be suspended for a week.
Shanghai Bishop Joseph Shen Bin sent a message to diocesan groups through WeChat asking everyone to ensure safety and organize rescue operations once the typhoon has passed. “The diocese,” the bishop wrote, “will provide funds for relief and reconstruction.” The Hainan disaster has touched the hearts of Catholics across the country. Priests and nuns on the island immediately organized themselves after the typhoon in September to inquire about the situation of parishioners’ families affected by the disaster. At the request of Bishops Joseph Shen Bin and Joseph Li Shan (Bishop of Beijing), the Chinese charity Jinde Charities launched first aid initiatives and disaster reconstruction plans, in coordination with local ecclesiastical communities and relevant administrative authorities.

The famous church dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes in Shanghai, which was badly damaged, is considered a “miniature version” of the Marian shrine in Lourdes (France). It was built by Father Joan-Maria Gouraud.S.J. (1855-1903) in 1870. After receiving a substantial inheritance from his mother, Father Gouraud, who had long cherished the dream of building a church in the Pudong district, began to realize his wish, on a 14-acre plot of land donated by a benefactor. The first stone of the church was laid on April 6, 1894. The construction of the place of worship was completed at the end of 1897. In 1904, Pope Pius X recognized it as the second Marian shrine after the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 18/9/2024)

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