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Apostolic vicariate of Tianjin at 100
Celebrations marking the anniversary will focus on prayer, sharing, life and communion. In Tianjin, the Church suffered persecution and endured violence, but has also been marked by a movement for an indigenous clergy and hierarchy, led by Fr Vincent Lebbe. The diocese’s two bishops, who are not recognised by the government, are under arrest.
Tianjin (AsiaNews/UCAN) – Tianjin diocese has begun a year-long series of special celebrations. They commemorate the foundation of the Apostolic Vicariate of Coastal Chi-Li in 1912, thus marking 100 years of a permanent Catholic presence in this northern Chinese city. Renamed Tianjin in 1924, the vicariate was later elevated to the status of diocese in 1946 when the Holy See named the first six Chinese bishops.
Celebrations began with a Mass presided by Fr Leo Zhang Liang of Tianjin, and concelebrated by 17 other priests and attended by about 100 Catholics.
The year-long event will be divided into four seasons that will concentrate on prayer, sharing, life and communion respectively.
The opening Mass took place at the Charity Mansion, one of the oldest Catholic buildings in Tianjin. In 1866, when Catholicism was first introduced to Tianjin, nuns from the French Sisters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul order opened a house to serve the sick and orphans. The building itself was the scene of anti-Western riots in 1870.
Tianjin was home to Western concessions (territories China was forced to concede), something resented by the local population.
It also saw the rise of an anti-colonialist movement led by Fr Vincent Lebbe, which sought to establish an indigenous Church. The Belgian-born Lebbe was in favour of an indigenous hierarchy.
The diocese, which covers Tianjin municipality, has two bishops, about 40 priests and more than 100,000 Catholics.
The two bishops, Mgr Stephen Li Side, ordinary, and Mgr Melchior Shi Hongzhen, coadjutor, belong to the underground Church and are recognised by the Vatican.
However, they are not recognised by Chinese authorities. At present, they are under house arrest. Mgr Li cannot travel to Tianjin, visit the cathedral or even exercise his ministry. Mgr Shi can act as a priest but cannot wear the symbols of his Episcopal title.