Fu Jen Catholic University concluded a two-day symposium today on tertiary education to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its revival in Taiwan and the 110th anniversary of the birth of its former president Cardinal Yu Pin.

Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi in his opening address urged more than 100 scholars and educators to adhere to the moral education vision of Cardinal Yu (1901-1978), despite substantial challenges to school enrollment such as low birthrates and market forces.

Moral education “helps to evoke the wisdom and morality of students and staff,” the 89-year-old prelate said.

“A Catholic university, which is always in search of goodness, should not fear evaluating its weaknesses,” said Cardinal Shan, formerly the head of Fu Jen’s board of trustees.

He said internal conflicts, an inconsistent educational policy, remaining silent about social or political injustice and abandoning the conscience of a Catholic university were among the areas needing improvement.

Yu Jin-shan, nephew of Cardinal Yu and visiting from New York, said his uncle had an international vision that could serve as a model for today’s students.

Fu Jen was founded in Beijing in 1925 but closed down in 1952 after Chinese Communists took control of the country.

Seven years later, Pope John XXIII assigned then Archbishop Yu of Nanjing, who became a cardinal in 1969, to reopen the university in Taipei.

The archbishop, who held three doctoral degrees, was appointed the university’s first president.

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