Funeral of Bishop
Joseph Fan Zhongliang
Recently the retired Bishop of Shanghai died. Andrew Bennet, Canada's Ambassador for Religious Freedom issued this statement:
"I was sincerely saddened to learn of the death of His Excellency Bishop Joseph Fan Zhongliang, Bishop Emeritus of Shanghai, who died on Sunday at the age of 95. Bishop Fan's life was a testament to religious freedom: he was known as the unofficial leader of the underground Catholic Church in China, and in 2000 he was confirmed as Bishop of Shanghai by Blessed John Paul II. He was a steadfast witness to the Christian faith in China. His position and involvement in the growing underground church movement inspired Chinese officials to sentence him to house arrest for the greater part of the last two decades. On behalf of the Government of Canada and Canadians, I extend my prayers and condolences to the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Shanghai and to the family and friends of the late Bishop Joseph Fan Zhongliang."
Bishop Fan, in the words of the homilist, was in jail fully one third of his 97 years, sacrificed continuously for his faith and did not know a single full day of peace. This most principled man of God persevered in the name freedom of worship.
Minister Alexander learned of the Bishop's passing earlier last week whilst in Hong Kong as part of his first international visit as minister. As funeral arrangements were set, the Minister re-arranged his planned itinerary for Shanghai to pay final respects on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada. Chinese authorities allowed for Bishop's Fan's funeral to be a public event, and that it proceeded without incident.
Peace
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