Christianity was introduced to China hundreds of years ago during the Tang Dynasty. Spreading of the Gospels was interrupted briefly during the reign of Emperor Wu of that Dynasty, but was resumed in the Yuan Dynasty. When religious teachers introduced western technology with their evangelism, they laid a solid foundation for the future development of Christianity. The Pope's proclamation at the inception of the Republic of China, that the Chinese traditional heritage, including respect for ancestors and Confucius should be respected, gave Catholicism the impetus to spread at an even faster rate.
The first Catholic order was introduced to Taiwan by Father Martinez and his team of four Spanish Dominicans, when he landed at Keelung and established the first Catholic churches there and in Tamsui. After the Dutch occupied the island in 1642, and the Spanish missionaries were arrested and deported, about 4,000 people had been converted. There followed a period of 200 years during which no missionaries were allowed to visit Taiwan. In 1859, however, the Spanish Dominicans returned, led this time by Father Fernando Sainz and Father Angel Bofurull. They arrived in Kaohsiung from the Philippines through Amoy, and reestablished the Catholic Church in Taiwan.
Their first church was the Holy Rosary Cathedral in Kaohsiung, and from it many converts were won, particularly in the Pingtung area. In 1861, a missionary traveled some 60 kilometers east to set up the Immaculate Conception Church at Wanchin in the Wanluan district of Pingtung County. This church, 45 feet wide, 160 feet long and 25 feet high, has a special structure which involves the use of molasses, honey and silk as well as the more traditional building materials such as gravel, lime and bricks. Teachers and students of architecture and archaeology in Taiwan and Japan have expressed marvel that it is still in pristine condition after a more than 100-year history which included bombardment during the Sino-Japanese War. Since this is the oldest Catholic church in Taiwan it is not surprising that some two-thirds of the 6,000 inhabitants of Wanchin have been converted to Christianity. On Sunday, three masses have to be held to accommodate all the worshipers.
Taiwan originally came under the Fukien Apostolic Vicariate, which was further divided in 1883 into the two Vicariates of Fuchou and Amoy, with Taiwan belonging to the latter. Taiwan was upgraded to an independent apostolic prefecture in 1920. During the Japanese occupation of the island, the development of the Catholic Church was inhibited, and there were fewer than 8,000 believers when the occupation ended in 1945. When the Nationalist government moved to Taiwan in 1949, the island was divided into two prefectures, one in Taipei and the other in Kaohsiung. Since then, additional prefectures have been established in Taichung, Chiayi, Hualien, Tainan and Hsinchu, and the religion has spread to such an extent that seven dioceses have been set up on the island.
Since the government of the Republic of China guarantees full freedom of religious beliefs, priests and lay workers can preach as they wish. Most of them are well-versed in Mandarin, the Amoy dialect, Hakka and several Aboriginal languages. Catholic churches have been set up in every important district, town and village as well as in the major cities. At the end of last year, there were 678 Catholic churches in Taiwan, serving some 277,000 believers, and manned by some 700 priests, 108 laymen and l,100 lay women. Besides, a seminary is established in each diocese and a novitiate in each community. Priests and high officials must be college graduates with two years study of philosophy and four years of theology, while lay workers must at least be high school graduates. Sometimes, the Vatican provides financial aid for them to continue their theology studies abroad.
As a result of the implementation of a thorough education system over a long period, the number of local priests and lay workers has equaled that of foreign missionaries. As well as spreading the Gospel effectively in the plains area, the Catholic Church has shown considerable achievements in converting aborigines in mountain areas to Christianity. Religious orders are among the strongest bodies in preaching the Gospels, and at present, there are some 24 religious communities of men and 50 of women. Apart from achieving self-discipline for themselves, the members of the communities provide educational and medical and social services for others. Through their dedication and hard work, Catholic churches have established many educational and social institutions.
Among the leading schools founded by the Catholic Church in Taiwan are the Fu Jen University, the Tien School of Nursing, the Blessed Imelda School, the Kuangjen middle and primary schools, the Providence College of Arts and Science, the Viator High School and the Wentsao Ursuline Language College. While on the one hand students in these colleges have full freedom of religious beliefs, on the other, students in non-Catholic colleges, have organized Catholic university students' associations, and lead a devoted religious life. In addition, many religious bookstores, institutes, associations, friendship houses, activities centers, press, radio and television services, and pastoral centers have been set up by the Catholic church to serve the public in Taiwan.
In the field of social services, many medical centers and clinics have been organized by the Catholics. There are nine in the Taipei archdiocese, 11 in Hsinchu, two in Taichung, six in Chiayi, four in Tainan, five in Kaohsiung and seven in Hualien, all offering special discounts for low-income families. In addition, there are homes for the aged and children, rehabilitation centers, polio centers, community service centers, job placement services, institutes for the retarded and handicapped, day nurseries, and psychiatric care and family service centers.
The Catholic Church recently helped the Free China Relief Association to settle Vietnamese refugees who were being temporarily housed in a relief center in Penghu, either by providing air tickets, or helping to contact relatives and friends abroad.
Last year, three Catholic sisters and a priest were chosen as good men with good deeds. Sr. Mary Smith, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, at the age of 75, volunteered to work in the front line area of Matsu, where she established the Haihsing dispensary to provide free medical services for residents. Sr. Madeleine Severens ICM, a Belgian national, started to preach in northwestern China at the age of 20. Now aged 61, she provides services for soldiers, the sick, old people and orphans in Matsu. Father Kung, 56, a native of Honan province, is the Superior at the Suao Holy Trinity Church, where he established a vocational training center for women, handicapped children and youths and low-income families, to help them improve their living conditions through their own efforts. In addition, he donated NT$5 million (US$139,000) to help set up a cultural center and library in Suao to uplift social standards.
Christianity is essentially imbued with a sense of love and service. The Catholic Church in Taiwan has made a big contribution to developing this concept.
[Picture Caption]
Above: The Immaculate Conception Church at Wanchin in Pingtung County, is the oldest Catholic church in Taiwan. The exterior is primitive and elegant, and the interior, majestic and solemn. Right: A midnight mass proceeds in the Holy Family Church.
Left: When fathers are preparing for the mass, the altar boys stand by. Below: In the ceremony of baptism, fathers anoint heads of worshipers to make them strong in their belief.
Right: After baptism, each worshiper holds a lighted candle, symbolizing the glory of Jesus Christ. Below: In the process of mass, fathers uplift the offerings to dedicate to the God.
Opposite: After the mass is over, the worshipers kneel down in front of the altar to receive holy communion. Right: Midnight mass is the most important event of the Catholic church in a year. Far right: Tien Educational Center is one of the most important cultural and educational activities center for young men set up by the Catholic church.
The Immaculate Conception Church at Wanchin in Pingtung County, is the oldest Catholic church in Taiwan. The exterior is primitive and elegant, and the interior, majestic and solemn.
A midnight mass proceeds in the Holy Family Church.
When fathers are preparing for the mass, the altar boys stand by.
In the ceremony of baptism, fathers anoint heads of worshipers to make them strong in their belief.
In the process of mass, fathers uplift the offerings to dedicate to the God.
After baptism, each worshiper holds a lighted candle, symbolizing the glory of Jesus Christ.
Midnight Mass on the night of Christmas Eve is the most important event of the year for Catholics.
Tien Educational Center is one of the most important cultural and educational activity centers for young people set up by the Catholic church.
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