Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tai Yuan (Agenzia Fides) - He was born in a Catholic family, in which there are no less than 16 martyrs during the persecution of Geng Zi of the Qing Dynasty of China (1821-1850), as well as 5 priests and 7 nuns: Fr. Bonaventure Li Chong De died on September 22, at the age of 92.
As reported to Fides Agency by the local Church, the funeral will be held on Friday, September 26 in the parish of Feng Xi, where he was pastor from 1956 to 1958.
Don Li was born on May 30, 1923 and entered the minor Seminary in 1936, and then went to the Major Seminary of Tai Yuan in 1938. He was ordained a priest by the Bishop of the Diocese of Tai Yuan, His Exc. Mgr. Domenico Luca Capozi, O.F.M. on June 9, 1951. After his ordination he was Dean of the Cathedral of the Archdiocese (1951-1954) and Pastor of the Feng Xi parish (1956-1958). He was obliged to force labor from 1958 to 1965, and was sentenced to life in prison because of his faith in 1967. He was acquitted and released in 1987.
When he returned to his diocese, Don Li dedicated the rest of his long life to evangelization.
According to the faithful, he often carried with him only a bag with dry bread to eat during his long missionary journeys: he travelled all the Shan Xi province, on foot or other poor means of transport.
The "Group of Charity and Evangelization of St. Paul" of the Archdiocese of Tai Yuan gave an immense contribution to the proclamation of the Gospel and the service of charity under his guide. He was defined "a priest who gave witness with his life". (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 25/09/2014)
