Call for Papers: The Centennial Celebration of the Consecration of the Six Chinese Bishops in Rome in 1926: The Indigenization of the Chinese Catholic Church and the Ascendance of Chinese Cardinals

To be held at Hong Kong Baptist University, 11-12 August 2025

This conference will commemorate the centenary of the consecration of the six Chinese bishops in Rome in 1926, a pivotal moment in the indigenization of the Chinese Catholic Church. It will explore the lives and achievements of Chinese cardinals and an archbishop who played significant roles in this process. A selection of conference papers will be published in 2026 to commemorate this historic event.

Please contact: Professor Cindy Yik-yi Chu, Department of History, Hong Kong Baptist University, 

email: cindychu@hkbu.edu.hk  Tel: 34117182

Focus of the Conference

The conference will examine the lives and contributions of Chinese cardinals appointed during the 20th century. Their appointments and subsequent actions illustrate their roles in fostering the indigenization of the Chinese Catholic Church.

There will be one to two paper(s) on each individual cardinal and the archbishop.

Chinese Cardinals to Be Studied:

1. Thomas Tien Ken-sin, SVD (田耕莘樞機; 1890–1967)

   • A native of Beijing, appointed cardinal in 1946.

2. Paul Yu Pin (于斌樞機; 1901–1978)

   • A native of Nanjing, appointed cardinal in 1969.

3. Ignatius Gong Pin-mei (龔品梅樞機; 1901–2000)

   • A native of Shanghai, created in pectore by Saint John Paul II in 1979.

4. John Baptist Wu Cheng-chung (胡振中樞機; 1925–2002)

   • A native of Hong Kong, appointed cardinal in 1988.

5. Paul Shan Kuo-hsi, SJ (單國璽樞機; 1924–2012)

   • A native of Kaohsiung, appointed cardinal in 1998.

Additional Archbishop to Be Studied:

6. Dominic Tang Yee-ming (鄧以明總主教; 1908–1995)

   • A prominent figure in the Chinese Catholic Church, consecrated bishop in Guangzhou in 1951.

Key Themes in the Indigenization of the Chinese Catholic Church

1. Rise of Chinese Clergy

   • In the early 20th century, the Vatican actively promoted the training and ordination of Chinese priests and bishops.

   • Milestone: In 1926, Pope Pius XI consecrated six Chinese bishops, symbolizing a major step toward local leadership.

   • Chinese clergy served as vital bridges between the Church and the local population, fostering a distinctive Catholic identity in China.

2. Cultural Adaptation

   • Efforts to integrate Chinese traditions and symbols into Catholic practices helped align the Church with Chinese culture.

3. Nationalism and Anti-Foreign Sentiments

   • The early 20th century saw a surge in Chinese nationalism, fueled by resentment toward foreign interference.

   • The Catholic Church, often associated with Western imperialism, faced criticism and suspicion. Indigenization became a strategy to distance the Church from colonial affiliations and demonstrate its loyalty to China.

4. The Role of the Vatican

   • The Holy See supported indigenization as a central part of its missionary strategy.

   • By promoting local clergy and reducing dependence on foreign missionaries, the Church aimed to establish a stronger foothold in China.

   • However, tensions occasionally arose between Chinese Catholics and Rome, as the Vatican maintained tight doctrinal oversight.

Organization of the Conference

1. Call for Papers

   • The conference will issue an open call for submissions and extend invitations to scholars with expertise on the selected cardinals and archbishop.

2. Maintaining High Standards for Participants

   • To ensure the quality of discussions, the conference will be limited to approximately 20 participants, including presenters and discussants.

3. Ensuring the Quality of Papers

   • Presenters will be required to submit their papers in advance. This will enable discussants to provide in-depth critiques and analyses.

4. Refinement of Papers

   • Authors will revise their papers based on feedback received during the conference.

5. Publication of Papers

   • Finalized papers will be published in an edited volume to celebrate the centenary of the 1926 consecration. This publication will make a significant contribution to the scholarship on the Chinese Catholic Church.

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