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Mainstream media praises Xu Guangqi

Shanghai celebrates its first convert to Catholicism
Mainstream media praises Xu Guangqi
Priests and faithful of Shanghai diocese commemorate Xu Guangqi in Guangqi Park
Published: April 27, 2012 07:13 AM GMT
Updated: April 27, 2012 03:24 PM GMT

Mainstream media in China praised Paul Xu Guangqi highly when they reported on Shanghai city’s series of commemorative events to mark his 450th birth anniversary. Xu (1562-1633) was the first Shanghai Catholic convert, and the Holy See is reviewing his beatification along with his close collaborator, Italian Jesuit missionary Father Matteo Ricci (1552-1610). Well-known even among non-Catholics in modern times, Xu was regarded as the first Chinese to introduce advanced European scientific knowledge into the country in the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and was also a famous scholar-official, mathematician, astronomer and agricultural scientist. Shanghai Daily, the most influential English newspaper in the municipal, published a report on April 24, Xu's birthday, describing him as “one of China’s great men of applied science.” The report interviewed Huang Shulin, a cultural official, who said Xu’s “clear and open mind to all advanced knowledge and technology was very precious at his time and is still a legacy for Shanghai people today.” On April 23, the Xuhui district government held an assembly themed “Remembering the sage of Shanghai, showing patriotic aspiration” in Guangqi Park on Nandan Road, Xu's burial place. Two steles were unveiled, which carry his life story and a memorial essay. A symposium is due to take place on May 11. According to Wen Wei Po, a pro-Beijing daily in Hong Kong, experts and scholars will present papers on Xu’s contribution in cultural exchange and “explore his scientific spirit, learn his patriotism, promote the history and civilization, and promote the building of a harmonious society.” Later in December, according to Shanghai-based Chinese newspaper Dongfang Daily, two new statues of Xu, which show his attainment in agriculture and introduction of western scientific instruments, will be erected at the Guangqi Park. Together with the original two statues – astronomical observation and discussion with Ricci – the local government aims at turning the graveyard into a theme park of Xu. After suffering serious damages during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), the graveyard was restored and expanded by the government in 1983, Xu’s 350th death anniversary. It was then named Guangqi Park. Some of these media reports also mentioned Xu was a Catholic convert and his friendship with Father Ricci but in a relatively brief and less important manner in comparison with his scientific and patriotic attributes. Meanwhile, Catholics in Shanghai prayed for the sainthood cause of Xu on his birth anniversary. All 86 diocesan priests and dozens of lay Catholics gathered at Guangqi Park to pay their respects on April 24, according to the Shanghai diocese’s website. Father Thaddeus Ma Daqin, vicar general of the diocese, recalled the story of how Xu brought the Catholic faith to Shanghai in his speech. “Xu spared no effort to spread his faith, not only in words and writings, but also in his charitable deeds. He also tried his best to protect the missionaries and defend the Catholic faith,” he said. He called on all Catholics to follow Xu’s example and pray for his sainthood cause. Then some priests presented wreaths in front of Xu’s tomb. Their activity ended with a visit to the Xu Guangqi museum in the park. Xuhui district, the name originated from the village of Xu’s family lived, is the heart of the Catholic Church in Shanghai. St Ignatius’ Cathedral, built in 1910 and featuring a pair of 56-meter-tall bell towers, used to be the tallest building in the area but is now buried among high-rise shopping centers and office buildings after the district was redeveloped into one of the busiest commercial zones in the municipality in recent decades.  

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