Bishop of Shanghai: Easter distances the faithful from materialism
Shanghai (AsiaNews) – Christians must not allow themselves to be tempted by the materialism of the metropolis, but must instead dedicate themselves to acts of charity and evangelization, only in this way can the Pascal mystery and the Christian faith be lived in full. This is the key point of Msgr. Aloysius Jin Luxian, bishop of Shanghai’s Easter message which has been published on the diocesan internet site.
In the text – entitled “Go and see!” – implores Catholics to be careful in their dealings with supermarkets, casinos, computers and television, all instruments of capitalism which distance Christians from the real aim of life.
The title of the message, explains the bishop (one of the four bishops invited by the Holy Father to take part in the synod on the Eucharist), is a citation from the Gospel, even if “there are places and actions that Catholics better not go and see, such as the stock market, where speculators spend their savings, take out loans and even embezzle public funds to buy stocks, thinking the stock market is a shortcut to riches”.
The reference to the recent scandal linked to corruption is evident (which brought about the downfall of the Shanghai Party secretary Chen Liangyu) and the collapse of the stock exchange, which lost 8 points on February 27 involving thousands of small investors who lost all they had. Obviously the Church, “does not prohibit buying stocks and shares, he said people "should be very cautious" because the stock market is highly risky”. At the same time Msgr. Jin invited the faithful “not to try their luck in casinos. There is only cheating and fraud in casinos, and finally we will go bankrupt and ruin our lives and families”, who in increasing numbers seek a quick road to wealth in gambling,
The same goes for computers and television, “Though useful, they could be abused as tools in fraud, theft and crime. They can imperceptibly invade our souls and change our outlook and values of life”.
Attention is also drawn to daily life, which “must not be captivated by worldly power, reputation, status and money. Go and help unprivileged people in society. Through Shanghai diocese's Guangqi social service centre and parish charity groups, people can find Jesus among the sick, poor and suffering”.
Citing Deus Caritas Est (God is Love), the first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop Jin also urged his faithful to spread the Good News, because evangelization in the Catholic diocese “not satisfactory”.
Bishop Jin indicated that Shanghai diocese recorded 1,484 Baptisms in 2005. He said, "There is nothing splendid about this figure, and as bishop, I should take responsibility”. At the moment the diocese counts 141 Churches and 150 thousand faithful, about 1% of the total population.
In conclusion, he urged his priests, nuns and all laypeople “to make conscious efforts to proclaim the Gospel, and bring the Good News of Easter to all people”.
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08/09/2005
