Year for Priests, a small Chinese delegation at St. Peter’s for Church Unity
Rome (AsiaNews) - There will be 20 priests from China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan between 9 thousand priests from 91 countries tomorrow June 11, the Feast of the Sacred Heart, attended the solemn Mass closure of the priest presided over by Benedict XVI . The Chinese areas "delegation" is currently on a pilgrimage tour which will finish on June 16. With the theme “Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests”, the group arrived in Rome June 7, went to Assisi June 8 and will leave for Lourdes on June 12. The priests are also attending the international meeting of priests that began yesterday at St. Paul's Outside the Walls in Rome and will conclude on June 11. A vigil in preparation for tomorrow’s appointment, and where the Pope will also speak, will be held later today.
Father Stephen Yip of Hong Kong diocese, ordained in 2004, told AsiaNews that the priests’ meeting in Rome shows the universality of the Church, priests in unity and support for the Holy Father. Feeling grateful for this Year for Priests as it encourages priests to renew their vocation, he noted, “Once again, I see clearly my vocation as a priest, the way of following Jesus.”
Another parish priest from Hong Kong, Father Patrick Sun, ordained in 1984, says that the meeting is a sort of “formation for priests” and he will be “open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit” during the meeting. In recent months – he says - the material from the Congregation for the Clergy and other sources, gave us the idea of the new trends in the Church. Moreover, the invitation to write and discuss during this year (which opened June 16, 2009, ed), was helpful to reflect on their vocation and what being a priest means. Fr. Sun also adds his appreciation for a mailing list created for the local priests in order to exchange greetings and information and show the sense of unity within the community. Having already participated in several priests meetings since 1990s, Fr. Sun said he learned a lot by the reading and sharing that is experienced during such events. There were also opportunities to meet with priests of the Mainland and share with them causes of common concern.
Father John Lin of Chiayi diocese Taiwan, says that this year helped him renew his vocation and strengthen his parishioners’ faith formation with regular Eucharist adoration and bible reading. Chiayi diocese will celebrate the closing of the Year for Priests on June 27, with children’s speech and bible contests. Each diocese in Taiwan will hold its own activities to conclude the Year for Priests . Father Lin, ordained in 2006, said he brought along his faithful’s prayer intentions, especially for the sick, to be offered to Our Lady of Lourdes during the pilgrimage.
From Macau, Portuguese Father Albino Bento Pias, editor of ‘O Clarim’ and four other priests of Asian nationalities serving in the diocese also joined the tour.
Commenting on the latest challenges facing the Pope and the Church after the paedophilia scandals, Fr. Lin says: "It is a difficult and hurtful time for the Church” which “feesl the pains and pressures” suffered by Churches abroad. His participation in the Rome event is also a sign of support for the Holy Father and the Church. That same spirit that animates Fr. Yip.
"While priests could sometimes have failings and be despised by the society – says Fr. Sun - this Rome meeting “recognizes the vocation of being priest” and that it is “an encouragement to all priests in the world.”
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