Jesuit Missionary and Scientist

Early Christianity in China

Some Mongols practiced Nestorian Christianity in 7th c. Contact between Papacy and China (Mongol Empire) began in 13th c. 1368 Ming Dynasty overthrew Mongolians 16th c no news about Christians in China.

China under Ming Dynasty

(1368 1644)

Jesuit missions to Asia

1541

Francis Xavier

almost China

1552, Shangchuan

Jesuits in Macao

1563

Jesuits in Macao
Alessandro Valignano SJ Jesuit missionary who supervised Portugaldominated area in Asia. Wanted Jesuits to be grounded on Chinese language and culture. Asked superiors to send talented and learned Jesuits to Macau.

Two Italian Jesuits

Ruggiere and Ricci
In 1579 the Italian Michele Ruggieri (1543 1607) was sent to Macau. In 1582 he was joined at his task by another Italian, Matteo Ricci (1552 1610). Ruggieri to the common people Ricci to the educated classes
Portuguese-Chinese Manuscript Dictionary

Jesuit Ruggiere (1543- 1607)

Not just Macao but real China Trips to Canton and Zhaoqing 1583 - finally a residence in Zhaoqing! (Guangdong) 1584 Ruggiere published a Chinese catechism First Christian communities in mainland China. Portuguese-Chinese dictionary 1588 Rome s embassy in China Intellectual work in Salermo Four Books 1607 - Death in Salermo

Mateo Ricci (1552 -1610)

Born in Macerata, Italy Went to Rome in 1568 to study law. In 1571 he entered the Society of Jesus. Studied mathematics and geography at a Roman college, Set out for Goa in 1577 and was ordained there in 1580. In 1582 he was dispatched to Macao and started to learn Chinese

Jesuits inside China

Ricci asked help from Jesuit houses in Europe. Few came and Ricci trained them Jesuits offered scholarly work in court and scientific assistance Shaozhou > Nanchang > Nanjing > Beijing

China

contributions to Science
Court mathematician and astronomer Introduced trigonometry, geometry, astronomy World map, calendars, clocks, sundials Astronomical Bureau of Peking Scientific topics such as the astrolabe, sphere, arithmetic, measure and isoperimetrics. Geographical breadth of China Russo-China border.

Confucius and Chinese culture

Confucius (551 BC to 479 BC)

Confucius and Filial Piety

China was a highly civilized society kept together by the teachings of Confucius. Confucian virtue defined relationship of parents with offspring. Filial piety governed the entire social system of China.

Central to Chinese families is right attitude towards elders. Thus, explains Chinese practice of honoring the dead and other rituals to honor their ancestors.

Chinese Rites and Catholicism

The real temple of scholars is Confucius! For Catholicism to penetrate China, Jesuits had to: - endeared themselves to the elite - understand China and Confucianism

Ricci s real challenge

Friends of the Emperor Appointed officials of the court

Christianity was tolerated

Jesuits made many converts

How to convert the elite who were so attached to Confucianism?

Ricci and Inculturation

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Learned the Chinese language Profound appreciation for Chinese culture and moral values Mastered Confucian classics Chinese to Latin Translated Euclid's Elements Latin to Chinese Revised Chinese Portuguese dictionary (pronunciation of Chinese characters in Latin alphabets).

Task of Inculturation
y Composition in Chinese on such varied topics as

literature, apologetics, and popular catechetics. y China's geography, politics, and culture, its philosophy and religions y Promoted European books, paintings and engravings y Wrote on Jesuits and their expeditions to China. y Dressed like a Chinese scholar y Lived like a learned Chinese scholar quite knowledgeable about Confucianism

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Chinese rites honoring the dead and Confucius deeply embedded in Chinese culture A meeting between Catholicism and the rites. Confucianism was essentially compatible with Christianity. Rites were not religious in nature but a way of caring. Approbation in 1603 tolerating rites with no clear hint of superstition. Future of Christianity in China looked bright!

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Other religious orders that is idolatry! Jesuits argued Chinese Rites are social rather than religious ceremonies. Pope Clement XI declared Chinese Rites in conflict with Church teachings and prohibited these rites to be practiced by Chinese Catholics. Emperor Kangxi banned Christian missions in China! Pope Pius XII relaxed his predecessors decree. 1939 - Confucianism a philosophy not a religion!

Tomb of Mateo Ricci

58 years old, Beijing, June 1610 2 miles south of West Gate of Beijing 2 other tombs of Jesuits Verbiest and Adam Schall Emperor Wanli designated tombs inside Beijing as a recognition of their great contributions to China

Rites controversy from hindsight; conflicting views; men as creatures of their contexts and perspectives; revisit the question: what and whose framework we will use to make judgment on something? Inculturation attitude of openness and respect for others beliefs and practice; dialogue; spaciousness

Jesuit method unbelievable patience in adapting themselves to people they were determined to teach (12 Jesuits for 400 million Chinese) (Gilbert Highet, Art of Teaching, New York). Adaptation to the end not to the means. Ricci represents newness and a sense of optimism and vision; it is forward looking with much vigor and hope for what future can give.