Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - Shanghai, May 15, 1924: the “Primum Concilium Sinense”, the First Council of the Catholic Church in China, begins in the Cathedral of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Bishops, Vicars General, religious and priests, most of whom were born in distant countries and came to China as missionaries, gather under the presidency of Archbishop Celso Costantini, Apostolic Delegate in China, with the task of revitalizing the mission of the Church on Chinese territory in the light of “Maximum Illud”, the Apostolic Letter written by Pope Benedict XV in 1919. In this letter, the Pope emphasized that faith in Christ "does not belong exclusively to a certain nation", and that becoming a Christian in any part of the world does not mean "giving up one's national rights to submit to foreign tutelage".
The Council of Shanghai formulated detailed provisions to promote and accompany the flourishing of a native church, with Chinese bishops and priests being entrusted with the leadership of local communities. The council decrees contained concrete provisions to counteract the colonial mentality that had also penetrated church practices.
One hundred years later, an International Conference in Rome looks back on this synodal experience to understand its meaning and relevance for the development of the Catholic Church in China and the dynamics of apostolic work in the age of globalization.
The Conference is entitled "100 years since the 'Concilium Sinense': between history and the present". The Conference, organized by the Pontifical Urbaniana University in collaboration with Fides Agency and the Pastoral Commission for China, will take place on Tuesday, May 21, in the Aula Magna of the University, which is part of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for the first Evangelization and New Particular Churches).
The Conference program (see attachment) includes contributions from the Bishop of Shanghai Joseph Shen Bin, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Missionary Dicastery. In addition, the contribution of prominent academics and researchers from the People's Republic of China is expected, such as Professor Zheng Xiaoyun and Professor Liu Guopeng, from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, who will give their presentations during the conference.
The day will open with a greeting from Professor Vincenzo Buonomo, Pontifical Delegate and Grand Rector of the Pontifical Urbaniana University, followed by a video message from Pope Francis. (Agenzia Fides, 14/5/2024)
AMERICA/USA - Archbishop Nappa to the representatives of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the USA: May gratitude be the source of your contribution to the mission of the Universal Church
ASIA/CHINA - Italian President Mattarella pays homage to the missionaries buried near Lake Xizi together with Bishop Yang
VATICAN - Pope Francis: The Pontifical Urban University "has an identity of its own" and should not be "blended" with other universities
VATICAN - The future of the Pontifical Urbaniana University at the center of the Extraordinary Plenary Assembly of the Missionary Dicastery
AFRICA/KENYA - Archbishop of Nairobi: "We will return the donations to the President"
ASIA/CHINA - Chinese academics and clergy discuss the “Historical legacy of the 2024 Concilium Sinense and the Guidelines of China-Vatican Relations”