Underground Chinese Catholics attend funeral of state-approved bishop

Published: 2004-05-11

HONG KONG (CNS) -- The funeral of a 90-year-old bishop of the government-approved Catholic Church attracted underground Catholics who wanted to pay him tribute, bringing together both Chinese Catholic communities. Bishop Francis Xavier Guo Zhengji of Bameng, of the Chinese autonomous region of Inner Mongolia, died May 3 due to lung failure, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. The funeral for the papally approved and government-recognized prelate was May 7 at Sanshenggong Church, Dengkou county, where he had resided since 1985. Father Matthias Du Jiang, vicar general of Bameng and head of diocesan affairs, told UCA News May 10 that local underground Catholics attended the funeral and burial service despite tight security. The 41-year-old priest said he appreciated their presence, which he called "a good sign of communion of the two church communities in the area."

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