China: Secretary of State note on death of Bishop Jin Luxian
(Vatican Radio) Below is Vatican Radio’s English translation of the note issued
by the Vatican Secretary of State on the death of Bishop Aloysius Jin Luxian of the
Diocese of Shanghai
On Saturday, April 27, His Excellency Mons. Aloysius
Jin Luxian S.I., Coadjutor bishop of Shanghai (continental China), passed away at
the age of 96.
The Prelate was born on June 20, 1916 in the Nanshi district
in the city of Shanghai. In September 1926 he began his primary school studies at
Saint Ignatius College; then, in 1932, he entered Sacred Heart of Jesus seminary,
and later attended the Sacred Heart of Mary major seminary. Attracted to the spirituality
and life of the Society of Jesus, in 1938 he began his novitiate, and on September
8, 1940 he made his first vows. Having concluded his studies in philosophy and theology
at Xianxian (Hebei), he was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1945 in the cathedral
of Shanghai.
Between 1947 and 1948 he completed his religious formation in
Paris. Then, from 1948 to 1950, he attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in
Rome where he received a degree Theology. He spent his summer vacations in Germany,
France, and England in order to learn the respective languages.
With the advent
of the People’s Republic of China, he was called to return to his native country in
1950 and, following the political events at that time and the expulsion of foreign
Jesuits, he was nominated the temporary rector of the regional seminary of Xuhui (Shanghai)
in 1951.
Fr Jin Luxian was arrested the night of September 8, 1955 and was
subject to a long interrogation, ending with a trial in 1960: he was sentenced to
18 years in prison, plus 9 years for rehabilitation. From 1963 to 1967 he was then
detained at Qincheng (Pechino) prison where, by reason of his considerable knowledge
of foreign languages, was made part of a group of inmate translators who worked for
the State. In 1967 he was transferred to the rehabilitation centre in Fushun and in
1973 to another in Qincheng where he remained until 1975. He was then sent to a labour
camp in Henan, and imprisoned again from 1979 to 1982: he was released after 27 years
in prison.
In 1982 he received permission to reopen the seminary in Sheshan.
In 1985 Fr Jin Luxian agreed to be consecrated bishop for the Diocese of Shanghai,
but without papal approval. He obtained approval some 15 years later, becoming the
coadjutor bishop of Shanghai, after having shown his fidelity to the pope and asking
pardon for his illegitimate ordination.
The prelate was a key personality in
the history of the Catholic Church in China over the last 50 years. He was a man of
great culture. His preparation, his studies in Italy, his proficiency in various European
languages and his human compassion allowed him to keep in contact with various personalities
and enjoy the respect of many.
Under the leadership of Bishop Aloysius Jin
Luxian, the diocese of Shanghai developed a great deal. He had a powerful pastoral
commitment, modernizing the dioceses in many ways and trying to ensure they remained
under the leadership of the pastors, using also to this end the respect which the
civil authorities had for him. He was particularly attentive to the preparation of
new priests and religions, launching proper formation facilities, such as the Major
Seminary, opened in 1985 in Sheshan (Shanghai), and giving back, at the same time,
a greatly appreciated service not only to his dioceses, but also to China. One
of his final acts as bishop Jin wrote the pastoral letter on the occasion of the Chinese
new year of the Dragon (January 23, 2012) with the title “Xu Guangqi: A Man for All
Seasons.”
In it the Prelate invited the faithful to follow the example of
Paul Xu Guangqi, the first high-ranking Catholic in the empire, friend of Fr. Matteo
Ricci, by promoting the cause for his beatification.
There are 150,000 Catholics
in the diocese of Shanghai, some one hundred priests, six deacons, 37 parishes, and
140 churches. In its territory is one of the Marian Shrine of Sheshan, a national
pilgrimage site. The most important social institutions include the house for the
elderly, a house for spiritual retreats, a soup kitchen, and the Typography of Qibao.
In
2012 he published the first volume of his memoirs, Learning and Re-learning 1916-1982,
in which he recounts the most significant times in his life. A life in which he sought
to keep the love of Christ and the Church alive, in loyalty to his country and culture.