New Chinese bishop challenged by mobility of Catholics in diocese

Published: 2007-12-03

YICHANG, China (CNS) -- Newly ordained Bishop Francis Lu Shouwang of Yichang says serving Catholics in his diocese is a challenging task amid rapid social transformation taking place due to a major dam project. The 41-year-old prelate was ordained with a papal mandate and the Chinese government's recognition Nov. 30 in St. Francis Cathedral in Yichang. It was the first episcopal ordination in Yichang in nearly 50 years, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency. The diocese is located along the Yangtze River in Hubei province. Bishop Lu's coat of arms includes a symbol of the Three Gorges Dam, a major landmark in the area, signifying his commitment to evangelize and serve local people. Bishop Lu told UCA News Nov. 30 that a special feature of his diocese is the great movement of laypeople from the mountainous rural area to the cities on the plains since the start of the Three Gorges Dam project; he said they also move to look for better jobs.

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