From Shanghai to Filipino prisons the Churches of Asia open the Jubilee

From Mainland China the appeal for the Holy Year by Archbishop Shen Bin: "Let us give hope to those in difficulty: to the poor, the sick, the young, migrants and the elderly alone". The Archbishop of Hanoi: in 2025 more possibilities for Vietnamese to go on pilgrimage to Rome. Fifteen jubilee churches in the metropolis. Philippine Cardinal David's appeal to the government: "Let the political prisoners be freed for the Jubilee".

Milan (AsiaNews) - All the dioceses of the world are now experiencing the local opening of the Holy Year 2025, which by the will of Pope Francis has as its theme "Pilgrims of hope". The celebration is also involving many Churches in Asia with significant gestures.

In Shanghai, the opening Mass of the Holy Year was presided over yesterday morning by Bishop Shen Bin in Xujiahui Cathedral: the rite - according to the diocesan website - was attended by priests, nuns and over a thousand faithful of the diocese. Before the start of the procession from the archbishop's palace, a nun read passages from the Bull proclaiming the Jubilee. In his homily, Bishop Shen Bin urged all priests and faithful to put into practice the call to hope, fanning the flame with the power of the Word of God. He also called for transforming this hope into concrete actions to become peacemakers, bearers of life, and to bring hope to those in need: to needy brothers and sisters, the poor, the sick, the young, migrants and the lonely elderly. The bishop also announced the six places of pilgrimage chosen by the Shanghai diocese for the Holy Year 2025: the Xujiahui Church in the Central District, the Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan in the Jiāqīngsōng District, the Tangmuqiao Church and the Jīnjiāxiàng Church in the Pudong District, the Gaozha Cai Church in Chongming and the Nánshànghǎi Church in the Punan District. He concluded by saying: 'We are pilgrims of God, every step of our lives brings us closer to Him. Through pilgrimage, we convert, renew our lives and deepen our relationship with God. Through pilgrimage, we become instruments of God's love and, in our search for faith, hope and salvation, we bring hope to those around us'.

In the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, the Jubilee was opened this morning with a celebration presided over by Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien. Starting at 8am, priests administered the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the courtyard of the archbishopric. Then in procession, crossing Nha Chung Avenue, the community reached the cathedral forecourt where the renewal of baptismal promises took place, followed by Mass on the Feast of the Holy Family.

"In Hanoi," Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien told the Ad Extra website of the Missions Etrangères de Paris, "we have designated seven large parishes as places of pilgrimage for the Holy Year. We also have a catechesis programme for the Holy Year. Specifically, we are emphasising reconciliation and charity: charitable activities are a necessary condition for contributing to the evangelisation of Vietnamese society. We hope that the Holy Year will be fruitful for the Catholic community in Vietnam," adds the Archbishop of Hanoi. There will certainly be great events at the national level, and some Vietnamese are also preparing pilgrimages outside the country, to Rome. It is becoming possible for many Vietnamese".

In Tokyo, Card. Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi presided over the opening celebration of the Jubilee in St Mary's Cathedral. For the big metropolis, as many as 15 churches have been designated as destinations for the Jubilee pilgrimage. In his Christmas message Monsignor Kikuchi, speaking about the Holy Year, had written that at this time "the Church opens its doors wide, seeking to offer peace to the pilgrims who continue their journey. As we continue our journey, we are called not only to give thanks for the presence of the Lord Jesus who walks with us, but also to share with others the light of hope that He gives us, a light that shines in the darkness". To let the light of hope shine, however, "it is indispensable to help and support one another. Protecting the life God has given us is the source that generates the light of hope. In the world today, violence in many forms threatens life. Life, which is a gift God has given us, must be protected in every moment, from beginning to end. Violence that takes life must never be allowed, in any of its forms. Protecting life is the source that generates the light of hope'.

In the Philippines, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop of Kalookan and President of the Bishops' Conference, appealed for the release of at least political prisoners in the Holy Year. He did so on 26 December, celebrating Mass in the Bagong Diwa prison in Bicutan on the day Pope Francis opened the Holy Door in the Rebibbia prison. "I will consider it a wonderful gesture on the part of the government," said Card. David - if at the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, the last political prisoners still languishing in prison after several decades of waiting for trial will be granted amnesty, pardon or permanent release on humanitarian grounds". The cardinal added that a law should also be passed to compensate prisoners for each year of detention if they are proven innocent after trial. According to the latest count by Kapatid, the Filipino association that fights for their rights, there are still at least 757 political prisoners throughout the country.I