Instruments of the Faith: English, computers, culture
Xian (AsiaNews/Ucan) Fr. Giovanni Battista Yang Xiaoting, from the dioceses of Zhouzhi and province of Shaanxi, is the first Chinese priest to receive a Ph.d, at least among priests ordained since the Chinese Church began sprouting again around the beginning of the 1980s. He is 39 years old and was ordained in 1991. He began his studies in Italy in 1993, where he obtained a doctorate in dogmatic theology in Feb. 1999 at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. He later got his M.A. in socio-religious studies in the United States. After nearly ten years of study abroad, Fr. Yang returned to China in June of 2002 when he began teaching at the seminary in Xian, the capital of Shaanxi located 920 kms southwest of Peking. Currently, he is in charge of clerical formation and research on sociology of religion.
Below is the interview:
What emerged from your years of studying in Italy?
While I studied in Europe, I felt under pressure. Often foreign students, who believed themselves to be experts of the Church in China, applied their western views to explain their perspective on history, social phenomena as well as the Chinese culture and Church. It was difficult to find someone pertaining to the Chinese Church who studied her from a sociological point of view, bringing to it real data and not just theories on current problems. Our Church in China is too closed and self-absorbed. We should know how other people consider us. The Church ought dialog with society.
What have you done after your return to China in June 2002?
Upon my return I studied Chinese Catholic spirituality. In Sept. 2002 I opened a formation center in Xian for priests, nuns and seminarians looking to do research. The first step was to organize English and computer courses, then to speak about faith and religion. Some lessons were held on science and religion for Catholic university students. I believe these activities can help the Church integrate herself in society and to inspire Catholics to love their dioceses and the Church in general.
How do you see the development of the Catholic Church in China?
The Church's organizational system is moving slowly. We should give importance to the meaning of the Church as community. The Church's organization should not only be the responsibility of the bishops. In years past, awareness has increased that the laity must take part in the evangelizing mission. Now, there are more lay catechists and more lay formation programs. They form a sort of small faith community; therefore the lay men and women can participate more actively in parish life.
What do you think about the growing number of priests and bishops under the age of 40?
I believe it is an advantage to the development of the Church. The vigor and views of bishops and elderly priests, at the moment, are not as good as those of young people. Besides, young priests are generally best in maintaining good relationships with the government and with people outside the Church or China. Many so-called young priests are not indeed so young. Many, in fact, are above 40 years of age. They have already had some experience in life. I believe that in 3-5 years there will be structural progress.
Has the role of nuns changed in the Chinese Church?
Yes, nowadays more importance is given to the formation of nuns. They have more resources. Their role is notably changed. Five years ago, many of them had only the responsibility of cleaning church rooms and carrying out domestic duties. Hebei nuns, for example, have now founded their own Association of Female Superiors.
What prospective future do you foresee for collaboration among other scholars of the Chinese Church?
I think that they are still lacking foundations for collaboration. I have tried to promote academic and cultural exchanges between the Church and researchers through the center that I've opened, and I have collaborated with the Hebei Church's Shin (Faith) Cultural Study Center. A greater collaboration with other religious institutes of the country will encourage us, but we don't have the necessary freedom to realize it yet.
.png)
