Victoria Ma

Hong Kong vigil on 4 June for Tiananmen martyrs (photos)

Nine, all from ethnic minorities, were ordained by Ma Yinglin, Kunming’s illegitimate bishop. Mgr Wu Junwei, bishop of Yuncheng (Shanxi), ordained Fr Han Bo in Jinzhong Cathedral. Mgr He Zeqing, bishop of Wanzhou, ordained Fr Peng Yueyu of Chongqing.

Pilgrims came from other dioceses like Ningbo and Taiyuan. Some groups organised web prayers. Under house arrest since 2012, Mgr Thaddeus Ma Daqin was not present. The Diocese of Shanghai organised a solemn pilgrimage.

His faithful describe him as the image of the "Good Shepherd". He was ordained underground bishop in 1981. In 2004 he was recognized by the government, but managed to decline joining the Patriotic Association. Under his leadership, the diocese has grown. To date there are 31 priests, 120 nuns, 50 thousand faithful. The Church is involved in evangelization and in providing medical care to the population.

Father Yang, who belonged to the Church community not recognized by the Chinese government, went with his coach and a few lay Catholics who were sitting for the same driving test, but he“disappeared” at the Number 3 Driving Test Venue in Dingxing county of Baoding area, between 12 noon and 12:30 pm as his mobile phone was powered off, local sources of Baoding said.

The unofficial bishop was 96 years old, 23 of which he spent in prison for his faithfulness to the pope and the universal Church. After he slipped and fell to the ground, he hit his head. Admitted to hospital, where he was denied the right to meet visitors, he died shortly thereafter. On government orders, the diocese of Yujiang was merged with that of Nanchang. The prelate’s funeral is set for this Wednesday. The government has allowed the faithful to expose his body for four days.

It is the wish expressed by the new bishop, Mgr. Stephen Lee Bun-sang during the ceremony of installation in his new diocese. The pastoral commitment "will start from the family and the education of young people, key to a harmonious society." Relations between China and the Vatican not purpose of his appointment, but "I will keep an eye on". The Church of Macau is and will be a help to the Catholics of China ".

Holy Doors open in the cathedral, three places of pilgrimage and a number of churches where the Taiyuan martyrs were born. Killed in 1900, they were canonized by John Paul II in 2000. At least 10,000 faithful attended the opening of the Holy Door at the Portiuncula shrine in Banshishan, 1,700 meters above see level with temperatures 16 degrees below zero. The works of mercy include care for parents and neighbors, and helping those in need. The mission feeds hope.

Thousands of people gathered at sites that symbolise the protest movement to commemorate the first anniversary of the first tear gas fire against demonstrators a year ago. Catholics mark the event with a Mass to ask the Lord for the strength to continue the struggle for democracy. They also express support for Christians in Wenzhou, victims of forced demolition of churches and crosses.

Responding to Card Tong’s appeal, Card Zen will celebrate a Mass tomorrow for ‘Safeguarding the faith, safeguarding the Cross’ organised by the Diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace. Catholics and Protestants protest outside China's liaison office in Hong Kong.

Before the rally, Catholics and Protestants held a prayer service in Victoria Park. For Cardinal Zen, political reform was rejected by pan-democrats’ votes, which safeguarded the dignity of the people, but did not advance the cause of true suffrage.

After the prayer that preceded the vigil at Victoria Park, Mgr Ha called on Catholics to listen to the voice of one’s conscience, which “sounds very soft and weak,” but which is “ceaselessly speaking out until it is heard.” He also called on Chinese leaders to “bear moral responsibility” for what happened 26 years ago.