ASIA/CHINA - Priests from mainland China attend Hong Kong academic seminary on Christianity and Chinese Culture Beijing

Thursday, 8 September 2005

(Fides Service) - About forty philosophers, theologians, scholars and experts on Chinese religion and culture from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, United States, Gt Britain and Jerusalem took part in an academic seminar on Christianity and Chinese Culture 16-18 August in Hong Kong. Thirty conferences dealt with the vast subject of three ancient cultures Chinese, Greek and Hebrew. The seminar was organised jointly by Holy Spirit Seminary run by Hong Kong diocese and Institute for the Study of Ancient Chinese Culture, a non Christian organisation. Six Catholic priests from Beijing, Shanghai and LiaoNing in mainland China were among those who took part. Rev. Choy Peter rector of Holy Spirit Seminary said “this is the third time we organise an international Seminar on ancient culture but the first time that we do so in collaboration with a non Christian institute. Realising that the initiative could be helpful for theology in the Chinese language we invited priests from the mainland and from Macao and Taiwan to join us.” For his part Bishop John Tong auxiliary of Hong Kong said: “The Christian faith and Chinese culture are two treasures of world civilisation”. Dialogue between cultures “helps faith and culture to walk towards ever broader understanding”.
The priests from the mainland confirmed the importance of dialogue between religion and culture. Rev. Peter Zhao, director of the Institute for Study of Catholicism and Culture highlighted the major changes in China in the past 50 years: “modern Chinese culture and Christianity have many values in common. These aspects must be appreciated and cultivated”. Prefect of studies at She Shan Seminary in Shanghai Rev. Fang said: “An increasing number of our priests go abroad to study for a doctorate and then return. We hope to avail of their experience in order to organise a simliar Seminar ourselves”. (Agenzia Fides 8/9/2005 Righe: 26 Parole: 324)


Share: