Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Feng Xiang (Agenzia Fides) – “Verbum Domini”, the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of the Holy Father Benedict XVI on the Word of God in the life and the mission of the Church was the principal theme for the course of ongoing formation for priests in the diocese of Feng Xiang, which was held in recent days in the diocesan Cathedral, according to information sent to Fides. During a week of reflection and sharing, organised by the diocesan Pastoral Care Commission, the priests addressed various issues, from the importance of Sacred Scripture to priestly spirituality and ecclesial issues, always using the Exhortation “Verbum Domini” as a reference point. According to the course director, the Apostolic Exhortation “should guide the priests' reflections in regards to the rapport between the Word of the God and people and help one to better know Sacred Scripture. During this course we wanted to discuss as a group how we may help the faithful to read the Bible, affirming the centrality of the Word of God in our life of faith, just as the Holy Father teaches. We were also able to examine the most practical and convincing ways to promote reading the Bible within parishes and basic communities.”
The diocese of Feng Xiang is subdivided into four deaneries and 30 parishes, with more than 20,000 faithful, 38 priests, (among which 18 are from religious orders) and 60 religious sisters coming from three female congregations (Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Sisters of the Sacred Heart and the Little Sisters of St Teresa). The diocese was created as a Franciscan mission and even today the devotees of the Saint from Assisi continue to animate the diocese. In the diocese there are two Marian sanctuaries and a cemetery for Catholic priests. The diocese also runs various social service organisations such as clinics and orphanages. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 17/01/2011)
