Please see my previous postings dated 5 November 2010 and 14 November 2010. (Lily)
Union of Catholic Asian News (http://www.ucanews.com/2010/11/16/record-numbers-boost-chinese-biblical-ministry/)
Record numbers boost Chinese biblical ministry , 16 November 2010
by Nina Chan, Kuala Lumpur
Some of the delegates to the Ninth United Chinese Catholic Biblical Association Congress during the concluding Mass
A record number of participants attended the Ninth United Chinese Catholic Biblical Association (UCCBA) conference in Kuala Lumpur this week.
The organization is urging laypeople to involve themselves more fully in the Church’s Bible Ministry, UCCBA liaison secretary Cecilia Chui told ucanews.com.
The number of participants at the Nov. 11-15 conference, the highest compared to past congresses, is a good sign of the unity among Chinese Catholics around the world and the thirst to deepen their faith, Chui added.
The association works to provide Bible study resources and training for Bible animators, especially in poor countries.
However, 20 years after its foundation, the office still operates with limited funds and is largely staffed by volunteers.
As the conference drew to a close, delegates resolved to boost the human and financial resources of the UCCBA office in Hong Kong.
Delegates also voted to strengthen the organization through the use of the latest information technology.
UCCBA chairperson Father Joseph Fung called on conference participants to dare to step forward take on leadership roles in the organization.
He told ucanews.com that the position of chairperson usually falls to a person from either Hong Kong and Taiwan owing to the current situation of the Church in mainland China.
Finally, however, Father Fung agreed to accept a third three year term in the post.
UCCBA now has 15 full members and five associate members around the world.
Delegates to the congress came from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.
AS12002.1628
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