TRAFFICKING in rosary beads to China may not sound like a lucrative business. In fact, there's no monetary gain to be had at all. However, it's not making money but saving souls that's on the mind of Belfast man, Mr Reggie Donnelly, who this week launched an appeal to send 5 million rosary beads to China.
According to Mr Donnelly, rosary beads have been left lying in boxes for too long all over Ireland. "I'm sad to have to say it, but if people in Ireland won't use their rosaries, maybe they will give them to people who will. I know it sounds awful but that's the way I see it."
Once collected or bought - and people can also donate money towards the purchase of rosary beads - the rosaries will be shipped to a bishop in Hong Kong, from where they will be distributed through the church's network in China.
Mr Donnelly is not daunted by the task. "Everything is possible if you have faith. We want to send 5 million rosary beads because there are at least 10 million Catholics in China. Public worship is illegal but the faith never died." Mr Donnelly first heard of the plight of Catholics in China when he met a group of Chinese pilgrims in Medjugorje. This was followed up last week when he received a telephone call from Bishop John Tong of Hong Kong, who also has a diocese in China.
The bishop explained that rosary beads were not available in China and that Catholics there could never afford the $2.50 they cost in neighbouring Hong Kong. And while people were forbidden from gathering for public worship, they could come together to say the rosary in their homes.
Meanwhile, a Newrybased church supplies company has also agreed to help out, offering beads at reduced prices.
Mr Donnelly can be contacted at Belfast 622200.