ASIA/CHINA - Bishop Joseph Shen Bin administers the sacrament of baptism to 54 new Catholics at the beginning of the Jubilee Year

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Shanghai (Agenzia Fides) - The Jubilee Year 2025 begins in the Diocese of Shanghai with the reception of 54 newly baptized people who received the sacrament of baptism on Sunday 12 January, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, by Bishop Joseph Shen Bin.
More than 1,500 faithful, as well as catechumens from the diocesan Catechism Course, took part in the solemn Mass in the Cathedral of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. In his homily, Bishop Joseph Shen Bin recalled the centrality of baptism in the journey of Christian life and called on all Catholics to participate actively in the Jubilee Year together with the newly baptized. The Bishop encouraged everyone to pray for peace in the world and to work for the unemployed, the poor, orphans, the sick and the elderly, especially in view of the upcoming Chinese New Year. The bishop asked the newly baptized Catholics to "follow the example of the Apostle Paul by accepting the word of God with all your heart and spreading the Gospel by becoming like a burning and shining lamp, enlightening others with your faith."
The Chinese Catholic communities, meanwhile, are multiplying the liturgies for administering new baptisms throughout the year and are no longer limiting themselves to the traditional occasion of the Easter Vigil. Baptisms are administered on Christmas, Pentecost, Sundays of the liturgical year and, of course, on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The multiplication of baptismal liturgies is seen as an objective measure for recognizing the fruits of the proclamation of the Gospel. "We have no right to turn anyone away from the call of the Lord," said the parish priest of the cathedral of the diocese of Tianjin, Father Zhang Liang, 20 years ago. On the gate of the cathedral in Xikai is the inscription "Come and See." The parish committee strives to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone, including tourists and interested parties, starting with the opening of the church all day long. Catechism classes and in-depth information about the faith are offered by competent Catholic volunteers. The diocese of Shanghai now has over 160,000 Catholics, 111 churches and chapels divided into five deaneries. About 170 priests provide pastoral services in parishes or Catholic institutions (publishing house, nursing home, social service center, association of Catholic intellectuals) and promote catechesis groups, marriage preparation courses and sacred music lessons. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 13/1/2025)