Chinese diocese unveils statue of Jesuit missionary
The Diocese of Fuzhou has unveiled a statue of Italian Jesuit missionary Fr Giulio Aleni to mark the 400th anniversary of his arrival in the region. May 30, 2025
A sketch of Jesuit priest Giulio Aleni. (Photo: fides.org)
FUZHOU, China: The Diocese of Fuzhou has unveiled a statue of Italian Jesuit missionary Fr Giulio Aleni to mark the 400th anniversary of his arrival in the region. The statue, placed outside the Cathedral of St Dominic, was revealed by Bishop Joseph Cai Bingrui following a two-day seminar (May 16–17), according to Fides.Aleni, dubbed the 'Confucius of the West,' arrived in Fuzhou in 1625 and is credited with founding the Jesuit mission in Fujian Province. Born in Brescia, Italy, in 1582, Aleni joined the Society of Jesus in 1610 and spent 40 years in China, starting in Beijing before settling in the south.Scholars from China, Hong Kong, and Italy gathered to discuss Aleni's legacy as a missionary, scholar, astronomer, and mathematician. Aleni adopted the inculturation methods of fellow Jesuit Matteo Ricci and wrote over 20 works in Chinese, including the influential The True Origin of All Things (1628) and a life of Jesus (1635).
Aleni reportedly built more than 20 churches and baptised around 10,000 Chinese. He died in 1649 and is buried at the Mount of the Cross in Fuzhou. ucanews.com
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