austraLasia 824
China Province Salesian publishes study of Mateo Ricci's Chinese Catechesis
TAINAN (Taiwan): 6th April '04 -- 'The True Meaning of the Lord of Heaven', the Jesuit Mateo Ricci's catechism for the Chinese people in the 16th Century, is the subject of an important new study by Salesian Fr. Michele Ferrero, who completed his Doctorate in Theology last year at Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, on issues for moral theology contained in Ricci's work. Ferrero's study examines the Chinese text of the famous catechism to show how the meeting between Confucianism and Catholic theory of virtue can offer valuable food for thought also to moral theology today.
Mateo Ricci arrived in China in 1583 and worked there for 27 years, becoming the Court Mathematician in Peking. He won over a recluse and suspicious Emperor by fixing a ringing clock (itself a Jesuit gift to the emperor) that his own scientists could not fix, and by correctly predicting the time and duration of a solar eclipse which his own astronomers failed to predict accurately. Curiously, the Jesuits were teaching the Chinese the heliocentric theory, unaware that Galileo's trial had taken place - communication lag was around five years at that time and place! While it is especially for mathematics, cartography and astronomy that Ricci is remembered by the Chinese, it is for his ability to be so truly Christian and authentically Chinese that today's Church especially honours him. By working out a synthesis of the human and moral values in Chinese culture, and of the integral gospel message, his method anticipated the pastoral approach of the Church today. It is this aspect that Fr. Ferrero highlights in his study.
Interested conferes could contact Fr. Ferrero directly by email (micheleferrero@hotmail.com ) if they wished to follow up on the publlished item. It is largely in English with parts of it in Chinese.
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