The Catholic Churches of Fuzhou

Fuzhou, Fujian, China

Fujhou, the capital of Fujian, has been an important Catholic center in south-east China since the 17th century. The province of Fujian, a land of migrants, has exported the Catholic faith to all South-East Asia and the Americas.

History of Evangelization in Fujian

The province of Fujian was evangelized by the Jesuits in the 17th century. Italian father Giulio Aleni, known as the "Confucius of the West," worked in the region for more than 30 years (1610-1649). His inculturation of faith in local culture laid the foundation of the Church in Fujian.

In 1680, the apostolic vicariate of Fujian was established, covering a vast region of south-east China. The province was the scene of major persecutions, especially during the Qing dynasty and the Boxers Rebellion (1900).

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Fuzhou

The cathedral of Fuzhou, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, was built in 1864 by French missionaries. The building, of a neo-Gothic style, was designed by the French architect Paul Duclos. The cathedral is 38 meters long and its tower is 32 meters high.

The interior of the cathedral houses a major altar of marble imported from Italy, as well as a series of vitrals representing scenes of the life of the Virgin Mary. The cathedral has been restored several times, the last time in 1998.

The Catholic diaspora of Fujian

Fujian is known as the "land of migrants." Since the 19th century, many of Fujian Catholics have migrated to the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Americas, carrying their Marian faith and traditions. Today, South-East Asian Chinese communities keep alive the devotions they learned in Fujian.

Devotion to the Virgin Mary has been a constant in the history of the Church in Fujian. The French missionaries especially promoted devotion to the Immaculate Conception, whose image has been venerated in the cathedral since 1864.

Persecution and survival

During the Cultural Revolution (1966- 1976), the Cathedral of Fuzhou was desecrated and converted into a factory. The vitrals were destroyed, the sacred images burned and the building seriously damaged. However, the clandestine Catholic community kept the faith alive, celebrating masses in private houses.

After the religious opening of the 1980s, the cathedral was restored and returned to worship. The Catholic community of Fujian has kept alive its tradition of Marian devotion, especially to the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Perpetual Relief.

Fuzhou today

The archdiocese of Fuzhou now has an active Catholic community. The cathedral celebrates daily masses and is a place of pilgrimage for the faithful of the whole province. The city of Fuzhou, as a former colonial port, retains a rich Christian heritage including the cathedral and various parish churches.