At least 20 thousand faithful at the funeral of Msgr. Huang Shoucheng, bishop of Mindong (Photos)
by Wang Zhicheng

A long line of faithful accompanied the bishop's ashes to the place of burial. Crowds line the roadside from the cathedral to the place of cremation. Agreements between the local authorities and the bishop's successor, Msgr. Guo Xijin.


Mindong (AsiaNews) - A huge crowd, at least 20 thousand people filled the streets of Mindong to give the final farewell to the city's bishop, Msgr. Vincent Huang Shoucheng, who died on 30 July.

The bishop, although being the local ordinary, was not recognized by the government. Local authorities agreed with the successor, Msgr. Guo Xijin and priests for all the details of the ceremony.

The funeral Mass was held in the cathedral, attended by all the priests and nuns of the diocese, along with 3 thousand faithful, but outside there were at least 10 thousand people. Thousands of people, in mourning dresses - white and black - lined the road from the cathedral to the cremation ground, where only 300 people were allowed to enter. Finally, a long line of faithful, thousands and thousands, accompanied the ashes of the bishop to his grave, situated on a hill 3 km from the cathedral, where lays the cemetery of the diocesan clergy.