ASIA/TAIWAN - After 30 years and nearly a dozen Chinese priests on the job, the Chinese translation of the “Summa Theologica” of Saint Thomas Aquinas is finally published

Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) – With the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the evangelization of the island of Taiwan, and after 30 years, a team of Chinese priests having been led by the late Director of Studium S. Pius, Fr. Joseph Chou, the “Summa Theologica” by Saint Thomas Aquinas has finally been officially published in the Chinese language. According to Archbishop Hong of Tai Pei, “this work is the strength of the unity of Chinese Christianity.”
According to Catholic Weekly, the Catholic bulletin of the Archdiocese of Tai Pei, the immense theological masterpiece, fruit of the dedication of theologians and priests and published by Catholic Window Press, is composed of 19 volumes with 613 themes and 3,093 chapters, with a total of 6,500,000 Chinese characters. It is unfortunate that Fr. Chou, who had dedicated his entire life and knowledge to this work passed away just before its completion. His successor as Director of Catholic Window Press, Fr. Peter Fei, left a copy of one of the drafts in his coffin. During the presentation of the work, Fr. Peter Fei also brought relics of Saint Thomas, invoking the saint’s blessing.
Fr. Joseph Chou was little known by Catholics. After earning his Doctorate in Philosophy at the University of Munster in 1969, he dedicated his life to the formation of priests and seminarians. One third of the priests in Taiwan are former students of his. As one of them commented, “he was little known by the people, but very well known by the Lord. His entire life was lived in the love of God.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 2/9/2008)