Guangzhou (AsiaNews) – Guangzhou is a diocese with committed members, a lively community that faces great challenges in the future like too few vocations and widespread materialism which grips young people and adults alike, this according to the newly-ordained archbishop, Mgr Joseph Gan Junqiu. The prelate, who spoke in an interview with AsiaNews, was ordained this morning in the famous “House of Stone,” the big Sacred Heart Cathedral downtown Guangzhou.

Monsignor Gan was elected archbishop in November 2006. Soon afterwards he was informed of the Holy See’s approval, which he then relayed to his faithful. But as a result of obstructionism by the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, which did not like his statement of loyalty to the Pope, his ordination was blocked till today.

Your Excellency, what type of diocese is Guangzhou?

The diocese of Guangzhou is very big with 40,000 members, 15,000 in the city alone. We have three seminarians and three priests who are studying theology, plus a few nuns who help out in the parishes. Here in the city it is me and a parish priest. At present we have few vocations, mostly men. Most men and women religious come from outside.

Since 1999 we have had about 100 baptisms a year. The number of catechumens is up, especially when the cathedral re-opened to the public after upgrading work. Many people come out of curiosity for the building then stop.

The community has many faces with a strong foreign presence, especially Nigerians and Filipinos.

Every Sunday we have six different masses at different times depending on the language: Mandarin, Korean, Cantonese and English.

Can you give us a portrait of your community?

About 80 per cent of the community is made up of middle aged and young people. Many are university students. In some faculties there are some priests who teach English and help spread the word about the Church. In the early eighties with the revival of religious life many rural migrants came to church, but now we need Christians who can bear witness to the faith, who can train. The community is in any event quite lively. For instance we have teenagers and adults under 30 who have set up support groups for the elderly.

But there are also young entrepreneurs who volunteer. One of them impressed me when I found out that he talks to his workers about the Gospel. Each summer we also organise a period of preparation to the sacraments for adolescents in each parish.

What are the main challenges of the moment?

Secularisation and materialism are the greatest challenges. Guangzhou is the capital of China’s richest province. The race for money at any cost can be seen every day in how people behave. In the end young people feel society’s emptiness and seek positive values. Even party officials acknowledge that there is a lack in values and spirituality.