ASIA/CHINA - A special pilgrimage: Catholics from Yi Bin accompanied by the Bishop visit neighbouring diocese of Nan Chong, rocked by an earthquake 2 years ago

Nan Chong (Agenzia Fides) – Catholics from the diocese of Yi Bin in the Chinese province of Si Chuan recently made a "special" pilgrimage. A group of the faithful accompanied by the 95 year old Bishop Mgr Chen Shi Zhong and the diocesan vicar Rev. Luo Xue Gang, made a three day pilgrimage 3 - 5 May for an experience of spiritual sharing with the diocese of Nan Chong, in the same Province, which was seriously affected by an earth-quake two years ago. According to information sent to Fides Agency, some fifty pilgrims including priests, women religious and lay Catholics, led by the Bishop, received a warm welcome from the local community in Nan Chong cathedral. They celebrated Mass together and then shared spiritual reflection proposed for the Year for Priests and also reflected on the difficult period following the earthquake. The pilgrims then visited the famous Benedictine Xi Shan monastery, the Exposition Hall of Catholic Culture and a famous Stations of the Cross. Rev Chen Gong Ao of the diocese of Nan Chong said, “Jesus is the tree trunk and we are all little branches connected to Him and to one another. This spiritual sharing is similar to life sap, it brings us ever closer together”. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 07/05/2010 - righe 20; parole 220)