“正定教堂惨案暨宗教在战时的人道主义救助”学术研讨会
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“正定教堂惨案暨宗教在战时的人道主义救助”学术研讨会
International Conference on “Massacre of Zhengding Church and Religions' Humanitarian Rescue Efforts During the War”
日 上午 &&&& Morning, October 28,2014
主持人 Chair: 方建平主教 Msgr.Peter Fang Jianping (河北省天主教神哲学院董事长 Chair of the Board of Hebei Catholic Major Seminary)
&&张士江神父 信德文化研究所所长 Fr.John B. Zhang (Director of Faith Institute for Cultural Studies）&&许嘉璐先生:前全国人大常委会副委员长、复旦大学宗教与国际关系研究中心学术委员会主任 Former Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Director of the Academic Committee, Center for the Study of Religion and International Relations, Fudan University&&张海鹏教授（中国社会科学院学部委员、中国史学会会长）Professor Zhang Haipeng (The academic committeeman of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Chairman of the Chinese History Association&&徐以骅教授（复旦大学国际政治系主任、宗教与国际关系研究中心主任）Dr.XuYihua (Professor and Director, Department of International Politics, Center for the Study of Religion and International Relations, Fudan University)&&赵本笃神父(香港煕笃会圣母神乐院、文致和主教生前的见证人）Fr. Benedict Chao, OCSO (Our Lady of Joy Abbey, Hong Kong, personal witness of Bishop Frans Schraven )&&何文生先(文致和主教侄外孙、九位致命者的亲朋代表 Dr. Vincent Hermans second cousin of Bishop Frans Schraven, representing the relatives and friends of nine martyrs)&&日本天主教主教团主席
东京教区总主教 President of Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan, Archbishop of Tokyo Archdiocese&&戴建兵教授 （河北师范大学副校长） Prof. Dai Jianbing (Vice President of Hebei Normal University)
为“文致和主教纪念室”牌匾揭幕祝福
The Unveiling Ceremony of the plaque of Bishop Frans Schraven's Memorial House
揭幕者: Jointly Conducted by:
封新卯主教（河北省天主教神哲学院院长）
Msgr.Peter Feng Xinmao (Rector of Hebei Catholic Major Seminary)
德隆主教（文致和主教家乡鲁尔蒙德教区辅理主教）
Msgr. Everhard de Jong (Auxiliary Bishop of Roermond Diocese, the Netherlands later Bishop Schraven's home Diocese)
为煕笃会圣母神乐院1937年所立纪念碑揭幕
The Unveiling Ceremony of the Memorial Tablet Set for Our Lady of Joy Abbey
揭幕人:Conducted by:
李占江神父 （河北省天主教神学院常务副院长）
Fr. Joseph Li Zhanjiang (Executive Vice-Rector of Hebei Catholic Major Seminary)
高豪神父（并致辞）（煕笃会圣母神乐院院长）
Fr. Paul Kao, OCSO（Superior of Our Lady of Joy Abbey, Hong Kong）
为文致和主教等致命者举行纪念弥撒
Memorial Mass for Bishop Frans Schraven and other martyrs
主礼Presider:方建平主教
Msgr. Peter Fang Jianping
&&韩德力（南怀仁文化协会）&&G. Gregory Gay, C.M. Superior General
10月28日 下午(河北师范大学) Afternoon, October 28th(Hebei Normal University)
主持人Chair：戴建兵教授（河北师大副校长）Prof. Dai Jianbing
&&章开沅教授 Prof. Zhang Kaiyuan （华中师范大学Central China (Huazhong) Normal University）
主持人Chair：王美秀教授 Prof. Wang Meixiu (中国社科院世界宗教研究所 China Academy of Social Sciences Institute of world Religions)
&&Marja Grim Simpelveld&&李晓晨 河北师范大学历史文化学院&&松隈康史 (日本天主教主教团秘书处周报局编辑、代主编）Mr. Anthony Yasufumi Matsukuma&&Mr. Vincent Hermans
鲁汶大学南怀仁研究所 Verbiest Institute Catholic University Louvain Belgium&&柳学文神父 遣使会波兰省区 Pawel Wierzbick Poland Province of the Congregation of the Mission
主持人Chair：韩德力神父 Fr.Jeroom Heyndrickx, CICM
&& 钱耕森 Prof. Qian Gengsen
(安徽大学宗教学研究中心)
(Center of Religious Studies, Anhui University)&&高豪 煕笃会神乐院 Paul Kao, OCSO Our Lady of Joy Abbey正定教堂惨案的受害者柴慎成神父和方济·弗雷德修士：两位在中国并肩工作的奥地利遣使会会士 Fr. Thomas Ceska C.M., () victim of the Massacre of Zhengding Church and Brother Franz Xaver Friedrich C.M., () – two Austrian Vincentians working together in China.&&Fr. Alexander Jernej, CM （奥地利遣使会 Vincentians in Austria）&&徐以骅 复旦大学国际政治系
10月29日(河北师范大学) October 29th(Hebei Normal University)
主持人Chair：刘家峰教授 Prof. Liu Jiafeng(山东大学历史文化学院 School of History and Culture of Shandong university)
&&张志鹏 Prof. Zhang zhipeng (安徽工业大学) (Business College,
AnHui University of Technology )&&宫哲兵 Prof. Gong Zhebin(武汉大学哲学学院宗教学系) (The School of Philosophy of Wuhan University)&&段琦 Prof. Duan qi (中国社科院世界宗教研究所)
(The Institute of World Religions,Chinese Academy
of Social Sciences)&&
王伟 Associate Researcher. Wang Wei (上海大学) ( Shanghai University） &&张
化 Prof.Zhang Hua (上海社会科学院宗教研究所)
(The Religion Research Institute of Shanghai Academy
of Social Sciences)关于1938年山西垣曲荷兰神父胡永生因保护难民
而被日军杀害一事的调查 On the Investigation of the Killing of the Dutch Priest
Fr. Hu Yongsheng in 1938 by the Japanese
Soldiers for the Sake of Protecting the Refugees at Yuanqu of Shanxi Province&&姜郁春 Jiang yuchun.Person in Charge (约翰·拉贝交流中心 驻京办 The Beijing Office of John H. D. Rabe Exchange Center)
主持人Chair：吴义雄教授 Prof. Wu Yixiong(中山大学历史学系教授 History Department of Zhongshan University)
善良的人是和平的使者 Men of Good Will are Agents of Peace&&Pst. Harold Toledano (哲学神学院Order of the Discalced
Augustinans )天主教在河北的碑石文化 The Monument Culture of the Catholic Church in Hebei&&戴建兵 Prof. Dai Jianbing 河北师范大学
Hebei Normal University&&王文涛/许秀文 Wang Wentao & Xu Xiuwen&&鞠志强 Ju Zhiqiang 《河北宗教史》主编 Chief Editor of “The Chronicles of Hebei Religions”&&赵建敏 Fr. Peter
(北京天主教与文化研究所)
(Beijing Institute for the study of Christianity and Culture)&&徐建平Xu Jianping
(河北师大历史文化学院)
School of history and culture，Hebei Normal University
主持人Chair：段琦教授 Prof. Duan Qi(中国社科院世界宗教研究所 The Institute of World Religions,Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)
&&董丛林 Prof. Dong Conglin (河北师大历史文化学院) ( School of history and culture.Hebei Normal University)&&洪伟 Hong Wei
薛莉 Xue Li
(南京理工大学人文与社会科学学院) (School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Nanjing university of science & technology)&&韩清平 Paul Han Qingping (信德文化研究所)
(Faith Institute for Cultural Studies)&&孔陈焱 Antonio Kong (复旦大学宗教与国际关系研究中心)
（Department of International Politics, Fudan University ）&&王德硕 Prof. Wang Deshuo （复旦大学国际关系与公共事务学院国际政治系）
（Department of International Politics, Fudan University）&&申新海 Director.Shen Xinhai
（正定县政协文史） （Culture and History Committee of the Political
Consultative
Conference of Zhengding County）
主持人Chair：张化教授 Prof. Zhang Hua(上海社会科学院宗教研究所 The Religion Research Institute of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences)
&&任继远 Ren Jiyuan. Chief-editor 《河北宗教史》主编 Chief Editor of “The Chronicles of Hebei Religions”&&李国伟 Li Guowei
(安国德来小妹妹会)
(The Little Sisters of St. Theresa of the Holy Child in Anguo)&&彭剑 Prof. Peng Jian （华中师范大学中国近代史研究所）
（Institute of Modern Chinese History, Central China Normal University ，Huazhong)&&胡文婷 Hu Wenting
(北京外国语大学中国海外研究中心) (Beijing Foreign Studies University research centre of Overseas Sinology)&&张德明：Post-doctoral. Zhang Deming
（中国社科院近代史所）
（Institute of Modern History,Chinese Academy of Social Sciences）&&张燕霞 Zhang Yanxia
（德国圣奥斯定大学）
（Sankt Augustin University of Deutschland）
主持人Chair：赵建敏神父 Fr.Peter Zhao(北京天主教与文化研究所 Beijing Institute for the study of Christianity and Culture)
&&刘家峰 Liu Jiafeng&&雷立柏 Prof. Leopold Leeb　（中国人民大学文学院 Renmin University, School of Liberal Arts）&&雷立柏 Prof. Leopold Leeb　（中国人民大学文学院 Renmin University, School of Liberal Arts）&&Rev. Robby i Chandra and Julia　（印度尼西亚西爪哇岛的基督教会，前身为中华基督教会）（The Indonesian Christian Church of west Java which was formerly the Tiong Hoa Kie Tok Kauw Hwee , the Chinese Church)&&Gai Suhardja, Lay Hok Tjoan　(文化研究论坛研究员／马拉纳萨-上主来吧, 基督教大学Maranatha Christian University/ Lecturer Forum of Cultural Studies)
主持人Chair：德隆主教(Msgr. Everhard de Jong)
&&Fr. Tjeu van Knippenberg CM　(荷兰蒂尔堡大学 Tilburg University The Netherlands)LOVE
EXECUSIONER：A History of Vincentian Fathers and Brothers being a witness of Faith through
Charity, Justice,and Formation of Local Church in China&&谷声野神父 Johannes Kusno Bintoro , CM
(遣使会中华省省会长Provincial of Chinese Province, CM)
&&Tomas Gerboc SVD&&张士江 John B. Zhang
(信德文化研究所 Faith Institute for Cultural Studies)
主持人Chair：徐建平教授 Prof. Xu Jianping(河北师大历史文化学院 School of history and culture，Hebei Normal University)
致辞 Speeches
Representative of the Academics
谷声野神父Fr.Johanes Kusno Bintoro, CM (遣使会中华省省会长Provincial of China Province, Congregation of Mission)
&&Fr. Franz Kangler CM (Provincial Superior of Austria)&&The Council of the Dutch Vincentian Fathers, CM&&Msgr. Stanislav Zvolensky (Metropolitan Archbishop of Bratislava, President of Episcopal Conference of Slovakia)&&高士洁 The Daughter of An Anti-Japanese General&&韩清平神父 Fr.Paul Han Qingping (信德文化研究所副所长) (Faith Institute for Cultural Studies)
(福音时报)
（长城网）
（河北广播网）
（凤凰网）
（中国民族报）
(C) Faith Institute for Cultural Studies河北信德社创立15周年纪念专题
划 向 深 处
&&&&马良神父（日星期日下午）
　　我是山西潞安教区的神父，负责本教区《教友生活》的出刊工作。参加这次《信德》社创办十五周年庆典，使我感到很荣幸。藉此机会我代表《教友生活》向《信德》社创办十五周年庆典表示真诚的祝贺，向张士江神父及信德社各位同仁表示神圣的敬意。
　　天主教在潞安地区开始于十七世纪中叶。1890年罗马圣部在山西分设南圻、北圻两个教区。其中南圻教区就是所谓的潞安教区，由荷兰方济会士管理，辖山西南部五十四个州县，有教友约九千余人。至教区第四任主教苗其秀（1928年）时代，教友达至数万人之多。于是罗马圣部于1932年和1936年先后由潞安教区划出洪洞、绛州两教区。今天的潞安教区包括长治的十三个县市区和晋城的五个县市区，开放圣堂70余座，共有教友四万余人，有神父48位，修女70余位，修生二十余位。潞安教区圣召比较繁荣，今天除在本教区工作的数十位神父外，在全国各教区服务的神父也有数十位。
　　至于《教友生活》，这是一份教区性的内部学习资料，1992年圣诞节创刊，走过了风风雨雨十多个春秋。今年8月份的《信德》报（总275期）做过介绍，我在上海的《圣爱》（2006年3月号，总第70期）也简要的作过介绍。我们将新近出刊资料赠阅给大家，这里就不必重复了。
　　关于《信德报》，中国教友家喻户晓。十五年来，《信德报》为中国圣教会的文字福传做出了非常重要的贡献，在引导教友善度信仰生活方面真正成了读者的良师益友。尤其是信德社大量出版的教会书籍，及大地丰富了广大教友的信仰生活，这不仅为教友们提供了精神食粮，更为神父们提供了很得力的牧灵工具。值得敬佩的是张士江神父创办的“进德公益”，已成为教会服务于当今社会的重要途径，既提高了教会的社会形象，又是一项荣主救灵的重要的福传工作。感谢天主的降福，感谢张士江神父及所有关心信德社的人们，你们真的为教会付出了很多很多，你们称得上是各地教会值得学习的好榜样。
　　金秋十月，是收获的季节。当我们装点信德社沉甸甸的硕果时，我们应看到教会的未来。当今我们的国家正处在发展的阶段，政府提出以人为本，推动建设和谐世界，坚定不移地发展先进文化……。在这政通人和的大好形势下，正是我们教会事业发展的大好机会。刚召开的全国统战工作会议为今后的宗教工作指明了方向，该次会议提出了新时期宗教工作的新要求，强调：要在社会层面进一步研究和探讨宗教界服务社会的范围和途径，要在文化层面进一步研究宗教文化，使之有效地服务于社会主义文化建设（参《中国宗教》06年第8期）。再说：在国家继续深化改革，扩大开放，全面推进文化建设、社会建设的同时，历史告诉我们：我们正处在中西文化相遇、交流、和谐共存的时代。这正是我们要面对的广阔而严峻的挑战。在教会公益事业、文化建设和人才开发等方面，摆在我们面前的绝不是十五年前或五年前的课题。如果我们不提高，将不能更好地服务于社会，不能为社会提供丰富的信仰资源，不能满足于那些在道德与信仰上寻求至善的人们的精神需求。
　　我们应听从主的召唤，在面对教会发展的新机遇和新挑战之时，不必害怕！我们应“把船划向深处”，以深厚的信德去乘长风、破万里浪！我们应研究和探讨教会在新形势下如何服务于社会（福传工作）的新范围和新途径。我想这个庆典就是一个契机，它应超出“庆典”之范围，更应是信德社，更好说是国内教会媒体福传走向未来的新起点。
　　祈愿天主降福《信德》社和圣教会的各项福传事业，让我们共同努力，把船划向深处。谢谢。河北信德社创立15周年纪念专题
教会的明天会更好
&&&通讯员、作者代表&王崇喜教友（日星期六）
尊敬的各位主教、各位领导、各位神父、修士修女、敬爱的张神父、
亲爱的主内兄弟姐妹们：
　　大家上午好！
　　在这天高气爽，风和日丽的收获季节，上主引领我们来到信德社――这个充满主爱的集体，一起庆祝信德社成立15周年，在这同庆的时刻，让我们首先代表全体通讯员向天父呈上我们的赞美：上主，只有你是至高无上的圣者，我们赞美你，显扬你，我们也感谢你在信德社、信德报、信德人生上所显示的光荣。同时，我们向邀请我们来的石家庄参加这次聚会的张士江神父、宋云老师、宋文泰老师、凌云老师和信德社全体朋友们表示衷心的感谢和崇高的敬意。
　　日，一个值得我们永远纪念的日子，从河北冀中大地传来振奋人心的喜讯，文革浩劫后第一份天主教会自己的报纸――信德报随着改革开放的春风诞生了。这个消息像闪电，在中国教会最困难、最需要的时候，带给人们的是惊喜，是震撼，是希望，是鼓舞，只有经历过严冬的人才能真正感受到春天的温暖，是上主垂顾了他的子民。
　　回忆在那史无前例的岁月，我们教会几乎遭受了灭顶之灾，教堂被封，神父被抓，圣书、圣物被损毁殆尽，党中央带领全国人民拨乱反正，教会在恢复重建过程中，我们没有圣经、圣书，没有报纸，没有任何岁月资料，连弥撒、经曲都是手抄复写的，甚至是神父凭着记忆写下来的。我们教友就曾想购一台中文打字机，却经历了新的苦难，牵进十几人，五六人被抓，这在现在看来势很荒唐的事，但在当时八十年代却真的发生了，大家想一想，处在浩劫的情况下，我们了解到信德报，拿到信德社出的圣书、圣物，怎么能不激动万分，怎么能不欣然若喜，怎么能不热泪盈眶，怎么能不发自内心的感激和佩服信德人的信德、勇气和对教会的无私奉献呢？怎么能不发自内心的感谢我们的好天主呢？因为他垂顾了他的子民。
　　在以后的十五年风雨历程中，《信德》报像号角，像战鼓，像旗帜，忠实地贯彻梵二精神，笃行仁爱，践行信仰，把耶稣基督的爱带给人们，把福音的种子撒向人间，为中国教会的复兴，和福音的传播，摇旗呐喊，擂鼓助威，在中国教会福传史上书写了光辉的一页。《信德》报已成为我们的信仰生活中不可缺少的精神食粮。被教友们亲切地誉为“我们自己的报纸”。有的教友说：“来了《信德》报，不看完睡不着觉。”十五年中，信德人凭着对主的赤胆忠心，对教会振兴的远见卓识和无私奉献，赢得了神长教友们的信赖和尊重。你们是天主特别拣选的人；你们是承行天主旨意的人；你们是充满主爱的人，充满圣神的人；你们是撒种子的人；你们是结出圣神果实的人……
千言成语诉不尽天主的爱，万语千言说不完信德的情，在这庆祝信德15岁生日喜庆时刻，我们借此机会向张神父、宋老师及全体信德人说上一句话：“你们辛苦了，我们感谢你们。”
回顾十五年信德走过的风雨历程，我们感慨万千，是主一路扶助我们走了过来，展望未来，我们豪情满怀，信心百倍，信德今后的路更漫长、更伟大，也许更艰苦，更具有挑战性，但我们完全相反，信德一定会奏响新旋律，谱写新篇章，同心同德，再接再厉，更上一层楼。
为什么信德一定会再多辉煌呢？因为：
有信德人对主的无比忠诚，对教会复兴大业的无比信心，对福音传播的满腔热火和无私奉献。
有全国神长教友的支持，关心和祈祷。让我们一起为信德祈祷，求主使它越办越好！主耶稣，请继续在信德报上显示你的光荣吧。
有主带领我们，有圣神指引我们，有圣母陪伴我们。
　　历史在前进，教会在发展，梵二会议吹响了福音再传的号角。我们的至圣圣父，先教宗若望保禄二世和现任教宗本笃十六带领着普世十几亿天主子民开始了广扬圣教的新的历史时期，认识基督，皈依基督，传播福音已经成为不可阴挡的滚滚洪流，主说过：“天上地下的一切权柄都交给了我，你们要去使万民成为门徒，因父及子及圣神之名给他们授洗……”
　　“你们往普天下去，向一切受造物宣传福音。”
　　“不是你们拣选了我，而是我拣选了你们，也派遣了你们……”
　　“当圣神降临的时候，你们要充满圣神的德能……”
　　这是天主的召唤、期望，也是派遣，也是命令。
　　这召唤、期望、派遣、命令，是对我讲的，对你讲的，也是对我们每一个基督徒讲的，让我们肩负起福传的历史使命，我们准备好了吗？
　　让我们豪情满怀地像依撒意亚先知那样，向我们的主说一声：“主，我在这里，请派遣我！”
　　只要我们每一个人都行动起来，把圣经学起来，把发自内心的祈祷做起来，把激情的歌曲唱起来，祈求天主圣神降下来，那么我们的教会就一定会火起来，对不对？
　　我相信我们完全有理由说：我们的教会的明天一定会更美好。你相信吗？阿肋路亚！河北信德社创立15周年纪念专题
信德的过去、现在和将来
―― 兼谈地方教会传媒与文字福传
&&&张士江神父（日星期六上午）
回顾过去：艰苦创业
　　1．前辈神长和领导们的支持
　　2．当时教会的需要
　　3．信德定位：立足地方，面向各地，服务省内外。
拥抱今天：求索奋斗
　　1、教会书籍
　　尽力满足不同读者群需要
　　为基层神长教友着想
　　鼓励本土作者的写作
　　出版适合国情的图书
　　2、《信德》报
　　树立了教会的正面形象，宣传了国家的宗教政策
　　从简单而单一的报道迈向专题、专版报道
　　3、多元化发展模式
　　5、人才建设
展望未来：迎接挑战
　　1、教会史上的辉煌与当前有限的地方教会文字福传
　　2、现代电子传媒、音像的挑战与机遇
　　3、来自商业经济的挑战
　　4、机构面临的挑战
　　5、地方教会传媒需要合作发展
　　加强地方教会媒体之间的交流合作
　　明确定位、形成身份
　　6. 与国家民族同行，突出和谐，致力文字福传，平衡发展教会
(全文见十五周年论文集)
The Past, the Present and the Future of the Faith Press
Also a Bird’s View of Mass Media and Evangelization
Through Printed Words by the Local Church
By Fr. John B. Zhang
Things change with the passage of time and this year is the 15th Anniversary of the Faith Newspaper and the Faith Press. Today, we not only celebrate the anniversary of a local Media organization of the Catholic Church, our distinguish guests: scholars and experts, clergy and lay people, representatives from Catholic Press, correspondents of the Faith Press, and friends from various quarters come here to hold a symposium to discuss matters related to mass media of the local Catholic Church.
The period between 1980 and 1990 was the time when the Catholic Church in China was making headway for full recovery and also a period for the mass media of the Local Church to initiate its development. Many of us have experienced and witnessed the rapid development from the traditional mass communication on paper to technological achievements. There was a pressing need for the Church in China at that time to restore the basic requirements for faith, establishing parishes, regaining possession of Church properties, repairing and rebuilding churches, making great effort to promote religious vocations for men and women and their formation. It was not uncommon to find that many prayer meetings, Eucharistic celebrations were conducted out-door. We can now recall that Catholics have to copy prayers by hand or writing with stylus on stencil for duplicating, or alternatively using printing blocks manually for off-set printing in a printing house. When the Chinese typewriter was available, then it was employed to create columns, type-setting, and the Gestetner machine was used to duplicate biographies of saints. With the introduction of Xerox and computer, printing became more convenient. In the past, the practice of photo-copying liturgical books was also quite common.
Catholic Church in China (a bi-monthly periodical) was first published in 1981 and the Guang Qi Research Center of Shanghai Diocese was established in 1984, signifying the restoration of Catholic publication. At that time, the demand for printed Catholic liturgical books was urgent and the position was slightly eased when many Chinese Catholics from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, on their visits to the mainland, brought with them from overseas, prayer/liturgical books in traditional characters, arranged vertically. However, from 1990 onwards until today, following the rapid development of the local Church and the ever improving and ever changing modern technology in printing and electronic media, some local churches, set up their own publishing houses, one after another. Some started to print newspaper, and more websites were established continuously. Propagation through the media of the Chinese Catholic Church was strengthened and enriched. Evangelization through the Printed Word began a new phase.
To-day, we are privileged to have in this symposium, the participation of representatives from the mass media of various regions in this country, and also friends from overseas Chinese Catholic communities. It is an excellent opportunity for learning and exchange. I take this opportunity to give a brief report and to share with our brother clergy, government leaders and our guests, the struggles of Faith Press in the last 15 years, whereby we can look back into the past, embrace the present and looking forward to the future. There is a Chinese idiomatic expression “tossing out a brick in order to bring forth a jade” and this is exactly what we hope to do, to invite all of you to share and discuss. Let us give importance to and be concerned with the mass media of the Church, to welcome the challenge of the present era and the modern mass media, and to explore and discuss together the works of Evangelization of the local Church, through the mass media of the Printed Word
II. Review the Past C Difficult Beginning
Faith Press was set up in April 1991 and in September the same year, Faith Press published its inaugural edition.
Due to the absence of human resources, capital and work-place, Faith Press was set up under simple and crude condition, as such it could only start from the reprinting the popular religious books, to easily produced tabloids.
To avoid duplication, Faith Press however did not concentrate on the reprinting of publications.
The News Paper Digest of that time inspired us: a tabloid of 4 pages in 1 sheet could be produced and published easily. That was the beginning of Faith Newspaper.
The fact that the Faith Press and Faith Newspaper have been operational until today owes to the following circumstances:
(a) Support of Bishops and Government Leaders
Bishop Liu Jinghe of Tangshan, Bishop Liu Dinghan of Xianxian (Cangzhou), Bishop Chen Bolu of Handan, Bishop Fan Wenxing of Hengshui, Bishop Jiang Taoran of Shijiazhuang, Bishop Hou Jingde of Xingtai and Mr. Li Yong Lai, Director of the Bureau of Minority and Religious Affairs, gave approval for the setting up of Faith Press and the plan of publication and publicity.
The location of Faith Press was determined after negotiation. The elderly Bishops accepted the blueprint proposed by Faith Press for evangelization through the Printed Word and encouraged the staff to be courageous in facing difficulties in starting an enterprise. The three Bishops, Liu Jinghe, Liu Dinghan, and Hou Jinde gave us full support, understanding and concern till the end. Our senior colleagues from the Guang Qi Press in Shanghai also gave us encouragement and loving support.
As we have no capital on the outset, we had to make a loan. Bishop Liu Dinghan, and the “Liang Hui” (Patriotic Association and the Bishops’ Conference) of Hebei, both helped us with the loan. The then Director of Religious Bureau, Mr. Li Yong Lai negotiated with the “Liang Hui” and obtained a room for the editorial office He also helped us with a grant of 1,000 yuans for installing wall partitions and doors, to provide a peaceful working environment . For this reason, it was named originally: “The Editorial Room for Hebei Catholic Faith Press”. All in all, it was just a single room with two tables and a few chairs. After more than ten years and in 2003, with the approval of relevant government departments, it became known as “Hebei Faith Press”.
(b) Specific Needs of the Chinese Catholic Church in China and the Local Churches in that Period
Towards the end of 1980, the strife between the official and unofficial Catholic Church in China became acute, leading to serious injury to many individuals, families and communities. Many people outside the Church wondered why the Catholic minority, being less than 1% of the population, was rumbling and grumbling amongst themselves. In particular, in 1989 the conflicts between the two communities at You Tong Village, Luancheng County, intensified, , leading to a serious clash between the government and the Church. Both the government and the Church at that time hoped for a stable and harmonious environment in society. Many clergy and laity became weary of those who lacked trust and were suspicious of one another, even to the extent of being hostile and harming others. The urgent need of society and the Church then was how to promote a stable religious milieu, not being critical, provocative, contentious, or at least not to aggravate conflicts or intensify contradictions but rather to witness faith more and to strengthen spirituality.
It was against this background that Faith Press was established in 1990 and the Faith Newspaper produced its inaugural issue. Even though we found ourselves in a sensitive area of intensive conflicts between the official and unofficial Catholic Church in Northern China, the staff of Faith Press maintained the principle of not disputing, not participating and not running into extremes.
Faith Press would promote reconciliation, concern for the marginalized groups in society, and social services, to build the new image of the Catholic Church through pure Faith, Spirituality, Pastoral and Evangelical activities, faith experiences of life, and beautiful testimonies. To a certain degree, Faith Press in persisting in such principles, helped to resolve conflicts in the local Churches, reduce tensions in society, and achieve stability in society. Through actions of charity, we united some clergy and laity and had won the recognition of the society on one hand and satisfied the actual need of the local Church on the other.
The perspective of Faith Press has therefore been determined by the demand of the local Church, or even the whole Catholic Church in China under a specific historical background and situation.
If one would re-read the General Preface of the Faith Press Series in 1991, one would appreciate and understand the painstaking, unrelenting effort and aspiration of the past fifteen year to achieve our vision.
“Our dedicated compatriots with living faith, whether they are in a tranquil environment or have gone through difficult trials in the past, or under the ideological assault of contemporary society or theological trends within the Catholic Church, have always the Lord in their hearts, always full of joy.
In Faith, they discern God’s Words,
follow His precepts and with the burning love for Jesus Christ bear witness for God with prudence and fidelity, in the midst of unpredictable storms,…….The choice of “Faith” as the name, was intended, through offering various kinds of religious books C the spiritual foods of the people of God C to increase and reinforce our belief, uphold the Truth, establish well the Church, understand one another and be united in the L in glorifying His Name, serving humanity, and
being patriotic and law-abiding, strengthen the nation, benefit the people, spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.”
Of course to-day, the plane, the three-dimensional and network media of the local Churches enjoy greater facility than ever before. At present, the Central Government is taking steps to deepen reforms and extend further openings for the construction of an affluent and harmonious society, the official and unofficial churches are advancing towards reconciliation, at least the number of conflicts is lessened, the mass media of the Church has new opportunity for development.
3. Orientation of Faith Press C Having a foothold in the region, facing the Country, and serving both within and outside the province.
Right from the start, Faith Press did not belong to a parish or a diocese, but under the jurisdiction of a group of bishops and attached to the Catholic Church Affairs Committee of the Hebei province. The identity and orientation of Faith Press was to have a foothold in the region, facing the whole country, and serving the clergy and laity in all regions within the country. Such juridical relation implied certain degree of localization but has also advantages in that it has wider scope for growth and for service and a stronger sense of identification.
As a matter of fact, the Faith Press belongs not only to the local Church but also to the friends and readers in all regions. Above all, Faith Press belongs to God! Staff of the Faith Press identifies themselves as instruments of the Lord, helpers in evangelization for religious, priests and laity, and their primary duty, their personal obligation and their solemn responsibility is to serve the readers.
In 1991, Faith Press was the first tabloid among the religious circles in China. From
a single- room office with two tables and three chairs, it has now improved its working conditions and staffed by a professional team. From the re-printing of two to three traditional religious book a year to one to two from the initial inaugural issue of 5,000 copies to today’s circulation up to 51,000 copies, the birth and growth of the Faith Press is the opportunity brought about by the reformed and open po
the result of continuous trust and great love of the clergy, laity and r the understanding, support and help of the local Churches, colleagues in the mass media, friends at home and abroad, from all strata of society.
Of course the blessing and protection of our Lord is indispensable to the achievements of the Faith Press.
As such, the staff of Faith Press and all our catholic friends is full of gratitude and thanksgiving and the determination to continuously search and work hard
III Embracing the Present: - To search and to Strive
(a) Publications of the Faith Series
The first publication of the Faith Press was “Month of the Sacred Heart”. In a span of fifteen years, the Press has published more than 3 million copies, of 17 categories and about 243 types of religious books. The Faith Series started its venture in the publication of books on spirituality and liturgy, which were urgently required for the daily use by the Church in China. Later on, we began publication of books regarding Holy Scripture, followed by church literature and history, religious arts and crafts, including some large volume of reference works. Take works on spirituality for instance. In the early 1990; the need for traditional spirituality was greatly in demand by the clergy and laity.
From the “ Month of Holiness ” Series to “The Complete Works on Meditation”, we provided a timely spiritual food to those clergy and laity who had survived the ten years of chaos during the Cultural Revolution and hurt by the internal strife between the official and unofficial catholic communities, giving them comfort in their sufferings.
“The Theology on Spirituality and Spirituality for Diocesan Clergy”provided spiritual guidance for the numerous seminarians and clergy..
The Spirituality Series: “Month of Holiness” C comprising Month of the Sacred Heart, Month of St. Joseph, Month of Mary, Month of the Holy Souls and the Complete Works for Meditation, Introduction to Spirituality, Forum on Spirituality, The Golden Words on Spirituality, Summa of Spirituality, Spring of the Heart, Theology of Spirituality, The Basic Catholic Spirituality, Spirituality for Diocesan Clergy, Guideline for Spiritual Formation of Clergy, Retreat with St. Teresa of Lisieux, Guide to Retreat, Loving Kindness C Life and Joy C manuscript for retreat, True Devotion to Mary, Models of Sanctity , Quotations from St. Freinadematz and Quotations from St. Arnold Janssen etc.
Liturgy and homiletic C Daily Missal, The Pasch, The Spirit of Eucharistic Celebration, Revised Version On Sacraments, Our Sacraments, Our Feast Days,, Our Eucharistic Celebration C Readings and homiletic of Sunday Mass (3 years cycle), Scoop from the Living Spring (Three Years Cycle).
Companions to the Scipture: The Living Words spoken to Men, Journey of Faith, ( 1. The P 2. The History & P 3. The Wisdom Literature and Psalms, 4. The Good News of the K 5. Fulfillment of the W 6. Letters of St. P 7 The Last Letters of the Apostles), Formation Program for Witnesses of Christ (N.T. Section), The Salvation History, Sing Praises to the Lord, Study Guide to Bible, Quotations from the Bible, Discovery of the Holy Bible, Stories in the OT, Sharing of daily Scriptural Reading, Illustration of the Bible, Famous Artworks on the Bible, Listening Heart etc.
Catechumenate Series: The Creation, Guide to Catechumens, Catechism for Adults The Philosophy of Scientists, Scientific Proof of the Existence of God,
The Mystery and Humility of Natural Science, The Macro-microscopic View of Life, Jesus,Who Are You? Questions and Answers, Questions and Answer on Catholic Liturgy, General Knowledge of Christians in the Modern World, Useful Knowledge of the Catholic Church, etc.
Book of Reference: The Breviar (3 volumes), Hardcover and pocket edition of Holy Hours Chardcover and simple edition of Catechism of the Catholic Church , Family Catechism (two volumes), Commentary on Canon Laws, hardcover and simple edition of Canon Laws, Sunday Missal and A4-size Roman Missal (I, II, and III.)
To meet the various needs of our readers: Much of the Faith Press Series was published at the recommendation of clergy and laity from various regions. As long as these books are beneficial to the readers, or helpful in the religious formation of sisters or seminarians, or popular amongst priests and laity we would do our best to publish. Some of the suggestions for publication came from senior members of the community, others from the younger generation. Certainly we will not overlook the opinions of our clergy. Faith Press tries its best to take into consideration the needs of the readers from different background, publishing books which are easy to read, suitable for the learned and for the common folks.
For the service of the grassroots (priests and laity) of the Church:
The majority of the Catholics live in rural areas and they are not affluent members of the society. Our publication will give consideration to their financial ability. Hence we have a policy of printing inexpensive but good literature for our readers. Faith Press had provided free copies to poor parishes, seminaries and convents to assist in their work of evangelization.
Because Faith Press is inclined to meet the needs of the grassroots of clergy and laity, improvement in quantity and quality of binding and graphic design has to be delayed. Increase in translations and editions of academic works will have to be postponed..
Encourage Works of indigenous writers/contributors
From reprinting traditional religious books, Faith Press has moved to publish indigenized religious literature. There are a number of indigenous writers who have been contributing articles. To promote indigenization, Faith Press encourages and publishes works of indigenous writers.
Publications of books suitable for national situation and needs of the Church
Faith Press guarantees the contents of all publication works to be compatible to the national situation. For example, in the process of publication of the Catechism of Catholic Church, on account of the content in No. 2425, we have waited for three years before we could publish the 3rd volume and then the complete set. As a publication Press for the Catholic Church in China, we cannot and should not publish, moreover impossible to publish in China, any material against the ruling party in government. If we do, we will have no prospect of development or any way out over that particular issue. Owing to the legality of copy-right, no country has made any addition or deletion to the Catechism text. We also have no right whatsoever to delete any sentence from the text.
From 1998, all we could do was to pray, to appeal and to wait. Finally the late Pope John Paul II granted the request of China, breaking the rule, allowing the deletion of the sentence incompatible to the situation in China, in the China Edition and publishing the edition compatible to the situation in China, satisfying thus the actual need of the local Church. We have introduced an open space in lieu of the absent number, in recognition of the deletion of No. 2425, and after the deadlock of three years the problem was resolved satisfactorily, acceptable and pleasing to both sides. The Guide to Catechumens was recommended by the clergy and laity of the unofficial church from Boading and has been reprinted several times due to its popularity. The Ordo Missae was reprinted at the request of several tens of bishops in China. We also accepted the suggestion from the bishops to restore the original translated proper names of saints and at the same time provided a list of both translations for people to get used to slowly.
The emphasis of this editorial policy has evolved to be the characteristic of the Faith Press and together with other printing press of the local Church, has enriched the market for religious literature in the Chinese Catholic Church, thereby satisfying the needs of Evangelization through the printed word of the local Church.
2. The Faith Newspaper
In the beginning, the Faith Newspaper was a foolscap-size tabloid in four pages published at irregular intervals. In 1993, its pages doubled. In 1997, the number of pages increased to 16 and in 1998, it was published fortnightly. Full color publication became a reality in 2004.
In 2006, it is published every ten days.
The number of copies increased from the initial circulation of 5,000 copies to the present 51,000 copies.
According to a sample survey, subscriptions come from all the dioceses in the country and a copy of the Faith Press is being circulated in a family or a community, thus its readership reaches over one million
Building a positive image of the Church and disseminating national policies of the government
Both clergy and laity had gone through generations of difficult trials, in particular during the ten years of Cultural Revolution, and the internal strife of the Church during the period of Reformed and Open Policies of the Government. Everyone was yearning for the creation of a positive image of the local Church. This basic feeling and hope are identical with the national policies of building an affluent and harmonious society.
For the past 15 years, Faith Press has provided our readers with timely news of the Universal and Local Church, and rich and varied testimonies of the life of faith. To a certain degree, Faith Press has, ipso facto, become “a window for the Church in China, and a garden of rich living faith”.
At the same time, Faith Press, through positive and continuous reporting, publicize strongly the major policies of the country.
For example, news of completion of new churches, baptism of adult converts, ordination of priests and consecration of bishops, religious profession of sisters, etc. provides concrete evidence that the policy of freedom of religions is being effectively implemented.
From simple and single tract reporting to special features, special pages and series, integrated serial reporting
Faith Press has gone from a simple, single tract reporting to in- from care for the Church to social concern. For instance, we focus our attention on various challenges confronted by the local Church and young priests, and also the important events in or outside China.
We published special topics or special features on “Reflections on Priestly Functions”, “Means of Evangelization”, “Evangelization Series”, “The Return of Macao”, “The Return of Hong Kong”; “The War Against SARS”, “The Death of Pope John Paul II”, “Election of Pope Benedict XVI”, “Consecration of New Bishops in China”; “the Registration of Jinde Charity and the 10th Anniversary of Vocation and Education Fund”; “The 30th Anniversary of Tangshan Earthquake” etc. Especially in recent years, we caused a strong wind of evangelization of the local churches through our focused and serial reporting on evangelization.
3. A model for pluralistic development
From the time of the Faith Press to the Faith Newspaper, we have gone through many trials, covered many winding roads and even made errors in judgement. In summing up our experiences and continuously correcting our ways, we have fathomed a method of “walking with many feet”, a model for pluralistic development. On the eve of the new millenium on 31st December 1999, our web site http://www.chinacatholic.org became operational. We have opened up yet a new way of evangelization through the printed word.
We have identified the weakness of our Church in academic research so it prompted us to set up in 2000 The Faith Institute for Cultural Studies and “Faith Review” was published in 2003. At the same times, Faith Arts and Crafts Workshop and Faith Audio/Visual Center were set up in 1999 and 2000 respectively.
Utilizing the Faith Press as a working platform, The Vocation Education Fund (1996), Jinde Charity (1997) and Jinde Home for the Age (2002) were set up respectively for social services and the latter two have been hived off as an independent and professional organization in its own right.
It is our ideology that when we grow in area of printed word, we have to put the love of Christ into action simultaneously. Consequently our diversification to social services has become a pivotal point of self-motivation in development. The social services of Jinde Charities have won recognition from various strata of society, indirectly giving booster in the development of the Faith Newspaper, enriching the contents of the Newspaper and the Web Site. Inversely, Faith Press has become the platform of publicity for Jinde Charity. There are mutual benefits for both and encouragement for each other for further development.
3. Social Services
Faith Press had placed in its front page the report of a local church in a city in Jiangnan, participating in salvaging refuse from the river bed, the donation of blood by priests and laity from Tai Yuan, the visits to poverty-stricken people by various local churches. These reports attracted considerable publicity and attention. The marginalized groups asking for assistance has been always been the main concern and attention of Faith Press staff.
Sometimes we would assign our own reporters to disaster areas for front line fact-finding and reporting. For years, the staff of the Faith Press has for its first concern, assistance to the wounded and dying, and other social services. They made voluntary donation and encouraged others to do the same to be generous in helping the needy. There is a cost for everything but this promotion and participation does not affect our growth. On the contrary, social services have purified the hearts and minds of the staff of Faith Press and their friends, inspiring in others
the spirit of self-giving, thereby enriching the contents of the Faith Newspaper. . For this reason, Faith Press has been blessed andwe have learned to be contented, grateful and joyful.
Staff Development
The growth of the Faith Press is the fruit of co-operation, hard work of the senior staff members and new recruits.
Faith Press has no fixed criteria in selecting candidates. At first it was supported by the educated retirees, later on a group of dedicated people,
and after that, it was nurtured by a younger generation, and especially with the addition of correspondents from various regions, we have set up what we have today a network of communication of Christian love. This is today’s Faith Family, a team which work for the glory of God, with their whole heart and whole strength, each fulfilling his/her duty with responsibility. We advocate the spirit of respect towards our profession, self-discipline, co-operation and spirit of self-giving, rejecting any bureaucratic practice and away from internal strife in any form. Together, we work, pray, gather news, edit, proof-read, and distribute, all for the service of our readers, our clergy and fellow workers in the media field.
IV. Vision of the Future C Accept New Challenges
1. The Glorious Past in the Church History and the Limitation of Evangelization Work through printed words of the Local Church
In the history of cultural exchange between East and West, from the time Fr. Mateo Ricci came to China, towards the end of the Ming Dynasty, until the Prohibition of Christian Religion two hundred years later, due to the Controversy of Rites, the Church in China has translated 473 printed works from the West, of which 251, about 57%, were classified as religion- related works.
From 1811, when Pastor Morrison,
published the first book translated from English to Chinese, to the last 100 years of the Qing Dynasty, China has translated and published a total of 2,291 works from the Western World.
The fruit of these two translations and writings is the two climaxes of “Western Learning Coming to the East” in the Chinese history, promoted jointly by
the Roman Catholic and the Christian Church, and they made a significant contribution to the Chinese society.
The contemporary Christian denominations when compared with the Roman Catholic Church during the Ming and Qing periods relied more heavily on printed words for the faith propagation, using translation, education and publication of newspaper as an indirect way of evangelization. For example, the publication of 970 issues of the International Bulletin () enjoyed great reputation.
At present, the technical terms of Christianity have been taken mainly from the Christian traditional translation because of the great importance the Christian denominations attached to
“translation, education and news-paper publication”. Of course, from the beginning of the 20th century, the social and charitable works of the Roman Catholic Church, news-paper publication and a few universities were also very outstanding. For example, Yi Wen Lu (later on changed to Hui Bao), () Sheng Jiao Za Zhi (Magazine of the Holy Church) (), Sheng Xin Bao (Sacred Heart)(). Among all, Yi Shi Bao () and Da Gong Bao, Shen Bao, and National Daily were known as the Four Big National Newspapers in China. The Yi Shi Bao and Da Gong Bao enjoyed equal status in the then media world.
There were many factors impeding the rapid evangelization of Catholic Church in China for the past four hundred years. The glory of the mass media of the good old days of the Catholic Church had become history. At present do our clergy and laity attach enough importance to the works of evangelization through the printed words? Has the printed word mass media of the local church exerted its due influence in evangelization and witnessing? Obviously, in a climate of reform and open policy of today, the mass media of the Church of China have met with many challenges, coming from society, from the present era and also from the Church itself.
2. New Technology of Mass Media has brought New Challenge and Opportunity to Traditional One-Dimensional Paper Medium
A group of statistics in China Internet is to be noted with interest. There were 50,000 accounts registered in 2005 with the Internet Operator and after ten years, the user accounts reached to 1.03 billion, being the second largest users after USA. This statistics shows that within a few years’ times, the number of internet users has gone over hundred fold, implying that among every 13 Chinese, there is one internet user. Obviously, China has entered the Era of the Internet.
The effects of Internet have reached billions of homes, and the new culture brought forth by the Internet has great impact on the lives of many Chinese in modern times. Through the platform of Internet, China has merged into the international community and also the world has gone into China. At a time of globalization of Internet, people have the opportunity, at any time and anywhere, even immediately, communicate and share equally the resources.
Actually, as a new medium, the Internet has not only changed the way of life of the Chinese people but also challenged strongly the Church in China for her development, offering more opportunities in areas of pastoral ministry and evangelization of the grassroots. Evangelization by means of Internet will reach far and wide, possessing greater freedom of space and time, readily available to wider audience and readership in its service. Undoubtedly, this will bring difficulty for the government department for information control. In a fictitious world of Internet, a person has greater freedom of speech but correspondingly the sense of responsibility is considerably weakened.
The present new technology in mass media has made from the three dimensional audio-visual media e.g. radio, movie, and TV;
from the traditional printed paper medium to the Internet, mobile phones, digital TV, wired TV, and even outdoor medium. Not long ago, the VCD was still popular but it is now replaced by DVD. The video tape widely used in 1980s can no longer compete with DVD.
In recent times, due to challenges from the Internet, the newspaper circulation both in China and overseas has declined, and several major newspaper publication have to be closed. In 2006, a major newspaper in USA suffered an average daily fall of 2.8% in circulation. It is more shocking to learn that many well established newspapers in Taiwan had to be closed. The Da Cheng Bao () has 16 the Central Daily News () has 78 years of history, The Taiwan Daily () with 42 years in circulation, The Xing Bao () 7 years and Min Sheng Bao ( years.
The Central Daily News is the organ of Nationalist (Guo Min Dong) and has been in operation for more than half a century. The Taiwan Daily is the organ of Democratic Progressive Party. (Minjindang) yet all of them could not avoid the fate. There might be other reasons from competition, but the impact of Internet culture has claimed casualty from these well-established printing houses. At present, for reason of control by the administrative department in China, the circulation figure of each paper is not disclosed. However, it is known to be on a rather serious downward trend.
How to integrate the traditional paper plane medium with the new mass media is the urgent need of every mass media organizations.
The Holding Enterprise of the Liberation Daily in Shanghai has been strategically successful in integrating paper plane media with the new mass media. The process of integration is known as “4-i”. The “4-i” engineering consists of “mobile phone i-news , free electronic magazine, I-mook, electronic newspaper i-paper, serial public news i-street. According to reports, the electronic newspaper i-news has become the largest mobile-phone news in Shanghai.
Confronted by the challenges from new mass media, internet and their culture - including the Church newspaper, the local Church and its media organization in continuing to develop the traditional superiority of Church printed medium, must seize, at the same time, the opportunity to and also to utilize fully and develop the superiority of the new technology, planning as soon as possible, the development of integrated Catholic printed medium with new mass media, for the purpose of doing well the works of evangelization through the printed word.
3. Challenges from commercial finance and the organization itself
In 1997, a daily paper in Guangdong registered a loss of 3 billion Yuan but revenue from advertising amounted to 7 billion Yuan, making a net income of 4 billion Yuan. As a general practice, newspapers rely on advertising revenue. Most Catholic newspapers do not have the tradition of advertisements because circulation is mainly internal among church members.
Moreover both the clergy and laity are not happy to have advertisements in the paper because there should be a clear separation between commercial advertisements and faith.
At the present moment, catholic newspapers have no license to carry advertisements on their pages. Relying solely on subscription cannot maintain the growth of a newspaper and it has to rely on donations for its survival.
With a circulation of 51,000, and providing one free issue per month, the financial strain on Faith Press is very heavy, as it relies chiefly on donations. Though the Faith Press has an editorial team, yet we have to raise the standard and strengthen them in the area of professionalism. We need qualified people and the support of participation of clergy and laity from different places, in order to form a more professional team including engaging someone for editor’s comments.
Without enough personnel we are unable to develop into a weekly paper, unable to raise the standard of editing and proofreading (particularly the embarrassment of using incorrect words). The existing staff spends most of their time and efforts in the editing of the Faith Newspaper and is more busy and tired after it became a regular issue at 10 days interval.
To recruit and to retain suitable personnel is the soft-ware requirement for growth but we need also to pay attention to the hardware requirement: bigger office space , balanced development of the different organizations, with their specific characteristics and functions.
2. Conclusion : Mass Media of Local Churches requires co-operation for Growth
At present in the field of evangelization through printed words, apart from the Catholic Church in China a monthly magazine at national level, there are a number of publications at regional level, including Message and Parish News from provinces and cities,. There are different kinds of “Diocesan or Parish News” all over the world and the local Churches and laity can participate in different ways to build a bridge of communication. Our local Churches in China should learn from such experiences.
The mass media of the local Church should have an open mind for social integration and to journey with society. They should learn to appreciate and study the experiences of the mass media of society and other religious fraternities, and not to indulge in self-admiration, alienated from others, aware that the Church and one cannot go alone.
For this reason, the Church mass media should have the foothold in the Church, facing society and continue to strengthen communication and cooperation.
Starting from 1998, Faith Press and Guang Qi Press of Shanghai have made a tacit agreement: to communicate plans for publication.
At that time Fr. Ma Daqin agreed with Faith Press over the annual plan of publication and programs. In this way, duplication in publication was avoided.
In strengthening the cooperation and communication among the mass media of the local Churches and through the platform of sharing, one can , not only discover one’s inadequacies, but also learn from and assimilate the experiences of others, at the same time can also discover and explore opportunities for growth. It is my conviction that following the importance given by the Church in China to the mass media, the local Churches will be more united and cooperative in earnestly advancing the use of mass media, in sharing resources and complementing the strength of one and another, in developing together, making new contributions to the works of evangelization in different places, through the written word
2. Define Status, Form Identity
It is not surprising at all, in an information-oriented society to have hundreds of web sites and a few or several tens of periodicals in a city at the same time. The number and category of news media form only part of the mass media. The linchpin of a newspaper or a we its target value, the readers, and the resulting characteristics of its identity. For example, a periodical has to determine its main service user and, to develop its own characteristics of identity according to the needs of the readers..
3. Give prominence to Harmony, Concentrate on evangelization through the printed words and strive for a balanced development within the Church
On the closing day of the Sixth Session of the General Meeting of the 16th National Congress on 11th October 2006, proclamation of constructing a harmonious society was one of the nine policy targets of the country. This will be the main theme for the future development of this country. The concept of constructing a harmonious society is compatible with Christian faith. We always feel that the Faith in Christ is the best and most wonderful. However, this is not enough. We have to ask: What Christian Faith can do for China? This is what China now lays stress on.
The Catholic Church in China needs comprehensive and balanced growth, not only in the pastoral ministry and evangelization, but also in the propagation of faith through printed words, a not only in supporting social and charitable projects, but also in active participation in tertiary education and academic research studies. These are the two indispensable foundation stones of growth. The Catholic Church in China requires reform.
We live in an new age of Information and Internet, and all people have equal opportunities to share and exchange resources.
Great advance is being made in the mass media and evangelization through the printed words has become more important. In the new millenium, the Catholic Church should keep pace with the present era, and to exert sufficiently the function of mass media in the Church for the on-going process of building a civilized, affluent and harmonious society, and develop the pastoral ministry and evangelization of the Church in different places.
Bibliography:
Ref: The Faith Newspaper
Web-site of “LianHeZaoBao” 23rd Jan.
Xiong Yue Zhi, 《Western Learning to the East and Society in the Late Qing Period》page 14, Shanghai Renmin Publishing Press, (1994)