The ceremony was attended by six bishops of the dioceses of Shaanxi, all in communion with the Pope and recognized by the government. The papal mandate read "in private" in a gathering with all the priests, before the ordination Mass.
The ordination was attended by about 2 thousand people; many non-Christians looked on from the street. Security was discreet. Rules imposed on the eve very strict. All of the ordaining bishops are in communion with the Pope. The Holy See mandate read in private; that of the council of Chinese bishops read in public.
His body was found in a river near Taiyuan (Shanxi). The cause of his death was unclear, even though an autopsy was performed on his body. An undergroud priest remembers Fr Yu's commitment to the poor, the underprivileged, seminars for priests, seminarians and nuns. He organised pilgrimages as spiritual journeys for young people.
He had been ill for several years. He spent 15 years in prison for his faith. In 2011 he retired and was succeeded by Mgr John Baptist Yang Xiaoting. Since 1992, the diocese of Yulin also includes Yanan, one of the glorious places of the Long March.
Retiring Mgr Zhu Weifang, 90, ordains three new priests who plan to focus on families, vocations, seniors, the sick, and reach out to non-Christians.
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