Shanghai to host beatification of early Catholic convert

(April 20, 2o11) The Vatican has put a Chinese Catholic scholar, who lived nearly five centuries ago, on track for beatification. Paul Xu Guangqi, who lived from 1562 to 1633, was one of the first Chinese to accept the faith brought by the Jesuit missionary Matteo Rici in the 16th century. Xu Guangqi who was a scientist, astronomer and mathematician will be beatified in Shangai. Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi said the go-ahead for the beatification cause from the Vatican's sainthood congregation was a “beautiful light of hope for China today and tomorrow.” He said Xu's “exemplary life” shows there is no contradiction in being both Chinese and Catholic. On the contrary, he told Vatican Radio, people can be both “great Chinese and outstanding Catholics”. The announcement of the start of the beatification process came in a message to Chinese Catholics last week from a special Vatican commission set up to study problems that Catholics loyal to the Pope face in China. It expressed its sorrow for the trials they are undergoing but said it learned with joy that the diocese of Shanghai can start the beatification cause. Beatification is the last formal step before possible sainthood. It can take years, with the Vatican requiring what it considers a miracle based on the candidate's intercession.