Chinese Priest, 104, Dies: Decades in Prison Taught Him That Faith Is Only True Wealth

On December 30, China's oldest priest, Father Joseph Guo Fude SVD died away at the venerable age of 104, two months shy of his 105th birthday.
He was one of the few remaining priests in China ordained before the establishment of Communist rule.
According to AsiaNews, he spent a total of 25 years in prison under the Communist government.
"Looking back on my life," Guo wrote on his 100th birthday, "prison became a place where I could reflect, pray, and grow spiritually".
Prison gave him "the strength to face life's challenges and continue to serve God, knowing that every trial is part of His Divine plan," he added: "My experience in prison taught me that earthly riches are temporary, while faith in God is the only true wealth," he wrote.
Born in February 1920, Fr Guo was ordained a priest in 1947. He was first imprisoned in 1959 for subversive activities against the state. He was imprisoned a second time from 1967 to 1979 for espionage, and again in 1982 for spreading the faith.
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