Bishop Huang, oldest government-approved bishop, dies in China at 98

Published: 2004-04-02

HONG KONG (CNS) -- Nanchong Bishop Michael Huang Woze, 98, the oldest government-recognized bishop in China, died March 22. Before his death, Bishop Huang returned to his residence after being hospitalized for a month, UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand, reported April 2. Doctors said they could not do much for him because of his advanced age, Father Chen Gong'ao of Nanchong told UCA News. Bishop John Chen Shizhong of Yibin celebrated the funeral Mass March 24 in the church in Suining, where the late bishop had resided, Father Chen said. Local parishes held three days of prayers for their deceased pastor. Bishop Huang's body was cremated and the ashes buried at the former Benedictine monastery, now a pilgrimage site, in Nanchong.

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