Chinese Bishop Dong of Wuhan dies of lung cancer at age 90

Published: 2007-05-14

HONG KONG (CNS) -- Bishop Bernardine Dong Guangqing of Wuhan, who in 1958 was one of China's first two bishops ordained without the approval of the Holy See, died of lung cancer and complications at the age of 90. Bishop Dong, who in 1984 reconciled with Pope John Paul II and received his approval, lived with lung cancer for about seven years before he died May 12. Local church sources told UCA News, an Asian church news agency, that the bishop had been in and out of consciousness since March. Father Joachim Shu Zigeng of Wuhan told UCA News Bishop Dong's memorial Mass will be May 17 at the Hankou cathedral. Father Shu added that there would be a funeral Mass at a local funeral home the next morning. After cremation, the bishop's ashes will be buried at the Baiquan Catholic cemetery in a Wuhan suburb, he said. He said May 14 that there was "no news, so no comment" about succession. The Wuhan Diocese has three elderly and 25 young priests and 18 nuns.

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