Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Feng Xiang (Agenzia Fides) – Mgr. Lucas Li Jing Feng, 90-year-old Bishop of the Diocese of Feng Xiang in the province of Shaan Xi in mainland China, recommended his priests and the faithful: "Let us constantly follow the teachings of the Apostolic Letter Porta Fidei and the Note of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith with Pastoral Guidelines for The Year of Faith, in order to live the Year of the Faith wanted by Pope Benedict XVI. And take the documents of the II Vatican Council and the Catechism of the Catholic Church as the best tool to understand the Pope's Porta Fidei and the Note. "
According to what was reported to Fides by Faith of He Bei, the Bishop urged his priests during the formative meeting in preparation for the Year of Faith, which will begin on 11 October 2012. According to the elderly Bishop, strong in faith, "what the Pope said today, tomorrow will be our precious deposit of faith. So we have an obligation to deepen it, implement it and spread it ... You have the responsibility to tell the faithful that the Year of Faith is an inspiration of the Holy Spirit to the Pope, it is a way through which the Holy Spirit guides the Church." Mgr. Li has also asked the priests to identify problems in the life of faith of the faithful and to develop an adequate pastoral plan, so that " people can better live the Year of Faith offering a living witness of faith."
The Diocese of Feng Xiang is divided into 4 deaneries and 30 parishes, it has more than 20,000 faithful, 38 priests (including 18 men religious) and 60 women religious belonging to 3 female congregations (Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Sisters of the Sacred Heart and the Little Sisters of Santa Teresa). The diocese was founded as a Franciscan mission, and today the devotees of the Saint of Assisi continue to animate the diocesan life. In the diocese there are two Marian shrines and a cemetery for Catholic priests. The diocese also operates several social service organizations such as clinics and orphanages. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 12/07/2012)
