The tallest church in China was consecrated in Suzhou Diocese in eastern Jiangsu province just as the Month of Mary began. Bishop Joseph Xu Honggen of Suzhou presided over the ceremony in Xiaohengtang in Kunshan city on May 2. Bishop Paul Meng Ningyou of Taiyuan from central Shanxi province and 50 priests from different dioceses concelebrated the Mass.
About 6,000 Catholics from local and neighboring provinces, including a group from the Korean community, packed the church built for a capacity of 2,000 people. "The church was fully occupied. Even the balcony was full of people with only a narrow path on the aisle left for passing through," said one of the participants.
Bearing a modern design, the new church was built in a boat shape. Its main spire is 75 meters tall, making it the tallest Catholic worshipping venue in China. "The boat-shaped design represents the church is sailing in this world to spread the Gospel of Christ. We have to do a better witness," said Bishop Xu.
The church honors Our Lady Help of Christians as its patron. The diocese hopes the Mother of God can protect Catholics in China and help more people join the church. Inside the church, a large drawing adopted "the heavenly banquet" as the theme. Apart from a portrait of Christ and the 12 apostles in the middle, six foreign missionary saints and six Chinese martyrs are included in the drawing.
About 6,000 Catholics from local and neighboring provinces, including a group from the Korean community, packed the church built for a capacity of 2,000 people. "The church was fully occupied. Even the balcony was full of people with only a narrow path on the aisle left for passing through," said one of the participants.
Bearing a modern design, the new church was built in a boat shape. Its main spire is 75 meters tall, making it the tallest Catholic worshipping venue in China. "The boat-shaped design represents the church is sailing in this world to spread the Gospel of Christ. We have to do a better witness," said Bishop Xu.
The church honors Our Lady Help of Christians as its patron. The diocese hopes the Mother of God can protect Catholics in China and help more people join the church. Inside the church, a large drawing adopted "the heavenly banquet" as the theme. Apart from a portrait of Christ and the 12 apostles in the middle, six foreign missionary saints and six Chinese martyrs are included in the drawing.
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