December 17, 2008

Ordinations cap Shanghai’s celebration of 400 years of evangelization

SHANGHAI, China (CNS)—The Diocese of Shanghai capped its nine-month celebration of the 400th anniversary of Catholicism’s arrival with the ordination of two priests. Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Xing Wenzhi of Shanghai ordained Fathers Joseph Li Gangyao and Joseph Xu Ruhao Dec. 6 at St. Ignatius Cathedral, reported the Asian Church news agency UCA News. About 2,000 Catholics, including relatives of the new priests, attended the ordination Mass, which 87 priests from Shanghai and neighboring dioceses concelebrated. With the ordination of Father Li, the Shanghai Diocese now has 75 diocesan priests. Father Xu was ordained for the Anhui Diocese. Bishop Xing told the congregation that although the anniversary celebrations have come to a close, “our mission does not end today, but rather it marks a new impetus for us to spread the Gospel to those who have never heard of it.” Noting that the universal Church is now in the midst of celebrating the Pauline year, Bishop Xing urged congregation members to model themselves after St. Paul in evangelizing zeal.