SHIJIAZHUANG (Fides): In the first six months of 2025, the fruit of vocations proved abundant in many Chinese Catholic communities, according to xinde.org.
January 1 to June 30, the ordination of Bishop Anthony Ji Weizhong of Lüliang, as well as 16 priestly ordinations took place, four religious sisters made their final vows, and 22 religious renewed their perpetual vows.
Most recently, Bishop John Baptist Li Suguang of Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi province, presided over the ordination of three new priests incardinated in his diocese, who come from the provinces of Shanxi and Hebei.
The Diocese of Beijing is also preparing for the ordination of two deacons, scheduled for September 19.
In recent years, there have been signs of a decline in priestly and religious vocations in the Church in China. Now, a phase of stabilisation appears to have begun.
Young people entering the seminary must complete five to seven years of formation before ordination. Given the dynamics and influences that shape social life today, this path seems too long and too arduous for many.
Between 1999 and 2008, an average of about 70 new priests were ordained each year. Since 2005, there has been a significant decline.
Priests are called to pursue ongoing formation, and the Catholic community has increasingly invested resources in the formation of lay people, priests, and religious sisters.
