Bishop who encouraged the Eucharistic Congress

Jul 20, 2018

By Gianni Valente
Bishop Lucas Li Jingfeng, who died in November 2017 at the age of 95, encouraged the celebration of the Eucharistic Congress in the diocese of Shaanxi. Lucas Li was one of the “patriarchs” of the Catholic Church in China. His episcopal ordination, which took place in 1980, had not initially been recognised by the government. Over time, his relationship improved and he was recognised by the government.

The elderly bishop was enthusiastic about the Letter to Chinese Catholics published in 2007 by Benedict XVI. In his opinion, that document indicated “the only way and hope to erase the discord and lack of peace that are present in the Church in China”. Pope Benedict, in 2005, had also tried to invite Lucas Li and three other Chinese bishops to the Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist (an opportunity denied by the Beijing government). --Vatican Insider