Chinese nuns reach settlement with attackers over land dispute

Published: 2006-11-13

HONG KONG (CNS) -- The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Xi'an, China, have reached a settlement with men who had attacked the nuns over a land dispute. Sister Maria Yang Conghui, superior general of the convent in the Xi'an Diocese, said Nov. 7 that the settlement was reached Oct. 27 between the order and the nine defendants, including the owner of the security company involved in the incident. Sister Maria spoke to UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. She said the nuns had sought $63,000 in compensation for medical expenses but settled for $44,000. Bishop Anthony Dang Mingyan of Xi'an said Nov. 6 that the case's legal process was fair, and the diocese will not pursue the case. The nuns said in an Oct. 30 statement the defendants "realized they caused severe physical and psychological harm to our nuns and expressed a sincere wish for repentance."

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