Chinese dioceses see surge in young, educated people being baptized

Published: 2007-04-13

SHIJIAZHUANG, China (CNS) -- Catholic dioceses in mainland China saw a surge in baptisms this Easter, with young and educated people comprising a significant proportion of new Catholics, church sources said. Song Yun, editor of the Shijiazhuang-based Faith 10-Day Catholic newspaper, told UCA News, an Asian church news agency, April 12 that at least 6,000 baptisms took place in 26 dioceses and 41 major parishes in China. Mainland China has close to 100 dioceses. The newspaper contacted various dioceses and prominent parishes for the information. Song estimated that the total number of Easter baptisms on the mainland exceeded 10,000 and said 80 percent of the newly baptized in major Chinese cities have at least some college education. "It's hard to account" for all the baptisms, "as parishes are numerous, and some dioceses baptize at Pentecost, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or at Christmas," he said. Bishop Johan Fang Xingyao of Linyi told UCA News April 11 that he credited laypeople for actively evangelizing their relatives and friends and priests and nuns for spreading the Gospel.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .