Zhengding (AsiaNews) - Mgr Julius Jia Zhiguo, underground bishop of Zhengding, has sent his greetings for the Mid-autumn Festival to Mgr. Paul Jiang Taoran, bishop emeritus of the diocese official of Shijiazhuang. Three days his wishes were relayed by some priests and lay leaders of Zhengding who, for the first time in decades, met with the official bishop (see photo).

Mgr Jia, 75, is a bishop of Hebei, not recognized by the Chinese government. Arrested by police on numerous occasions, he was released July 7 last year after 15 months of detention. But he has long expressed his desire for greater unity and communion in the diocese, to opening a dialogue and exchange with the official Church.

Mgr Jiang, 84, retired in late 2008 and now lives with his family. He was ordained a bishop of Shijiazhuang, without papal mandate, in November 2008 but has reconciled and was legitimised by the Holy See.

The visit to Mgr. Jiang by representatives of Mgr. Jia "was the first in decades and is a good beginning," a priest of Zhengding told AsiaNews. "Bishop Jia - he continued - is concerned about the life and health of Mgr. Jiang, although there are difficulties and pressures inside and outside”.

"I think - said the priest - that under the Mgr. Jia’s guidance the diocese will develop in a positive way. The bishop hopes to strengthen evangelization among the laity, through Bible study, and also hopes to increase the social services for the needy and mentally ill in the area”.

Mgr. Jia is famous in China for running an orphanage that gathers children abandoned because of their disabilities or the one child law.