HANGZHOU (Agenzia Fides): “All this was truly a grace and a special gift from God: in the contacts and exchanges with the other participants in the synod, we experienced the common path of the whole Church,” Bishop Joseph Yang Yongqiang of Hangzhou, said of his experience at the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, held in Rome last October.
“Everyone was able to take a broader and more positive look at the life of the Church in China and was amazed by the stories of devotion and faith of Catholics in China,” Bishop Yang said as he summarized his most important impressions and experiences during the Synod on Synodality during his recent meeting with the priests of Hangzhou on December 5.
Concerning the upcoming Jubilee Year 2025, Bishop Yang announced that the opening of the Jubilee Year in the diocese was scheduled to take place on December 28 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Hangzhou. The cathedral as well as the churches of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Magi and Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, will be Jubilee Shrines for the entire duration of the Jubilee Year.
Meetings will be organised in parishes to deepen understanding of the Papal Bull for the Holy Year, Spes non Confundit [Hope does not disappoint], and initiatives will be developed to encourage participation in pilgrimages and obtain jubilee indulgences in accordance with the norms established by the Church.
In view of Christmas, Bishop Yang called on all priests to work synodaly with their parishioners and to coordinate with the competent civil authorities to ensure a peaceful and orderly conduct of liturgical celebrations.
With regard to the planning of pastoral activities for 2025, the bishop stressed the urgency of harmonious collaboration and called on priests to work in communion with all parts of the People of God and to serve the Church in obedience to the faith under the guidance of the diocesan bishop.
