Eucharist Congress ends 60-year hiatus
- ucanews.com reporter, Tianjin
- China
- May 7, 2012
Tianjin diocese has celebrated its first Eucharist Congress since the Communist Party suspended the event 60 years ago.
The congress held at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Xiaohan village on May 1 was part of year-long celebrations marking the diocese’s centenary.
However, Bishop Stephen Li Side and his coadjutor Melchior Shi Hongzhen, who are not recognized by the government, did not join the celebration.
“The two bishops have been under surveillance for more than a decade and have never attended any Eucharist congress,” one priest said.
Around 6,000 Catholics attended the congress, which organizers hoped would help them reflect on the faith of Jesus Christ through the adoration of the Eucharist and to invite them to witness the Christian spirit in their lives.
The congress held at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Xiaohan village on May 1 was part of year-long celebrations marking the diocese’s centenary.
However, Bishop Stephen Li Side and his coadjutor Melchior Shi Hongzhen, who are not recognized by the government, did not join the celebration.
“The two bishops have been under surveillance for more than a decade and have never attended any Eucharist congress,” one priest said.
Around 6,000 Catholics attended the congress, which organizers hoped would help them reflect on the faith of Jesus Christ through the adoration of the Eucharist and to invite them to witness the Christian spirit in their lives.
