Chinese Catholics in Italy: Gratitude for Pope's prayers, at a time of great destruction
Rome (AsiaNews) - The prayers of the Pope and the Catholic community around the world "are needed now more than ever, given that the situation in China is getting worse. Things are not as bad as 20 years ago, but we do not have religious freedom. This must be said". These are the sentiments of some Chinese Catholic sources speaking to AsiaNews, following today's appeal by Francis at the end of the general audience .
The Pope recalled that May 24th is the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China: the decision to dedicate May 24 of each year, as stated by Benedict XVI in his Letter to Chinese Catholics published in June in 2007, is because on that day, the faithful throughout China celebrate the liturgical memorial of Our Lady Help of Christians, venerated in the Shrine of Sheshan, near Shanghai.
Similarly, the Chinese Catholic community from all over the world gather to pray together. This year, the choice of the community in Italy has fallen on Turin, where about 300 Chinese Catholics will go on pilgrimage to the Holy Face, the Sanctuary of the Consolata and visit different churches in the archdiocese. The chaplain of the Chinese community in Prato, Fr. Francis Xavier Wang, said: "This year about 35 members of the community will travel from Prato. We are happy and grateful for the words of the Pope, because the Chinese Church really is a suffering Church".
Even those who live abroad, adds Fr. Wang, "are still close to the Chinese Church. Things at home have changed, we are no faced with the same persecution as 20 years ago. But we still do not have full religious freedom, and this is not right. The prayers of the world are necessary and the Pope's interest and love makes us joyful".
A further 35 Chinese Catholics will travel from Milan: the group will remain a full two days in Turin. Fr. Joseph, who works with the community from Milan's via Sarpi , says: "The Pope's appeal is right, because the government is attacking us again. They destroyed a shrine , the crosses of the churches, the churches themselves. The situation is getting worse, because after the handover of power last year, the government grown stronger. The life of Chinese Christians is not an easy one, this is why the Pope's appeal is key, because it invites the world to pray for the Church in China. And we really need it".
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