Jian Mei

A local priest tells AsiaNews that the ordination was postponed without explanation or a new date set. Local Catholics can now breathe a sigh of relief. The secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples had expressed concern over the possible unlawful ordination.

After the pope's appeal, underground priests were taken away by security forces on a "trip" to prevent them going to the shrine of Our Lady of Sheshan. Prayer for underground bishops, held by the police for decades. Bishop Jia Zhiguo in hospital for heart problems, under police supervision. Bishop’s tomb desecrated. Rosaries, Masses and worship, in obedience to the pope’s invitation. But some say they know nothing of his message.

Bishop John Lu Peisen is the second legitimate pastor ordained since the beginning of the year. Two days ago the Pope's call to pray for the bishops who "suffer and are under pressure in exercising their episcopal ministry." Bishop Lu was a long time teacher at the seminary in Jinan.

The anniversary is officially remembered in Beichuan near the epicentre of the 2008 quake. Moments of silence and prayers mark the event. In Chengdu Diocese, 25 churches out of 59 must be rebuilt; another 22 need major repairs. However, the lack of funds is slowing the reconstruction process. Chinese priest says that spiritual reconstruction is also important.

Published a long list of lawyers arrested because they defended human rights activists. Continues its systematic repression, to remove any defense to those who protest. In Shenzhen, for the World University Games in August, any protest will be punished as a serious offense.

Mgr Lu Shouwang, official bishop of Yichang but also in communion with the pope, died last Saturday from an infection to the pancreas only three years after his nomination. His funeral was celebrated yesterday. He worked hard to build churches and educate the faithful.

Bishop Li Hongye, sick for a long time, died during the Easter Vigil, in his 67th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. He suffered imprisonment for his loyalty to the pope. The funeral will be held April 29.

Fathers Chen and Zhang have been in detention and tortured for months in order to get them to join the official Church. Hebei Catholics know the names and stories of at least 20 other priests who were arrested and tortured in the province because they were faithful to the Catholic Church.

Mgr. Liang Jiansen is Bishop of Jiangmen (Guangdong), a diocese vacant since 2007. All the bishops who participated in communion with the Holy See. The priorities of the newly-ordained: the formation of priests, nuns and laity. In the diocese there is a shrine that commemorates the place where St. Francis Xavier died in 1552 (Shangchuan).