Faced with China’s restrictions on religion, Columbans and other missionaries turn to teaching English to spread a Christian message to young people.
By Fr. Hugh MacMahon

Columban missionaries began their work in 1918 in a China chronically threatened by famine, war and natural disasters. Beginning in 1920, they took on responsibilities in three central Chinese cities with a diocese established in Hanyang. For 30 years, Columbans shared the hardships of the people.

In the 1950s, they were expelled by the new revolutionary Communist Maoist government. It would take until the mid-’80s before they could think of returning to Mainland China, but it was then that these opportunities once more became a reality.

Direct involvement by missionaries, however, in the local churches is not permitted and direct evangelization is illegal. New roles and ways of supplementing the missionary outreach of China’s local churches had to be found. A new face of mission was required.

It is clear this new face has taken on the shape of quiet presence through witness and service to the Catholic Church in its official and unofficial forms and to a Chinese society caught between the best of its traditional values and the more inhumane aspects of a modern materialistic society.

Missionaries are like candles that light up the darkness. When there is no electricity, candles light up the room where people chat and eat their meals. These same candles, when there is electricity, become decorative; they are nice to have, but you can get along without them.

Missionaries should be where there is the least electricity.

Columban Father Warren Kinne teaches these Chinese Sisters English. Fr. Kinne teaches classes at Pudan University.

For example, Columbans and others work as teachers through the Association of International Teaching, Education and Curriculum Exchange (AITECE) program with which Columbans are associated. Columbans and other teachers show concern for their students who realize they are not there for the money.

Students ask questions: Why are you here? What motivates you? Are you a Christian? Why are you Christian? They learn about Christianity from the Christians they meet. Missionaries in traditional Christian countries are not so noticeable, but in a non-Christian country they are a center of attention and interest.

Some may say, “What’s the point of having priests there when they can’t say Mass or preach.” It’s true that teachers cannot use their positions to evangelize. However, the teacher often has the opportunity to talk about religion, Western culture and Christian culture even if the teacher cannot invite people to the church to be baptized.

As an AITECE official, I visit the teachers, some of whom are priests, Sisters and Religious. I see how their whole training, which makes them sensitive to others, shows in how they offer friendship to people.

They often are asked questions about their beliefs and their understanding of fate. It might be difficult for an ordinary Christian in China to answer these questions, but for those who have practiced Christianity their whole lives, they can share their ideas in simple ways that give Chinese people an insight into Christianity.

Teachers plant seeds. They talk to young people to give them an idea of who they are, what they do and what they are like. Then they leave the rest to the Holy Spirit.

In Ricci’s Footsteps
A peculiar irony in China today is that Columbans can talk to Chinese youth while local priests cannot be present in the university and would not be allowed to talk to university students. Meanwhile foreign teachers are invited to talk about Western culture and philosophies.

They are highly respected and even when government officials suspect that they are priests, Sisters and active Catholics, there are no objections.

The officials are impressed by the way they devote their lives to the students, are always ready to talk to them and help them. The officials ask for more teachers like them.

In China today there are millions of young people entering universities who are crying out for English teachers. That’s why AITECE was established: to fulfill these needs for students and show them the example of a Christian lifestyle.

Foreign teachers who give an account of what it is to be a Christian are truly the face of modern mission in China.

More than 400 years ago, a great missionary did something similar. His name was Matteo Ricci, a Jesuit missionary, who introduced Western science to China. He showed respect for the culture of the people. He lived a good Christian life, giving example of what Christianity was and did whatever he could to serve people. The Church can follow his example.

Traditionally, missionaries went to countries where people were open to Western culture. But China was different; China was not about to give up its ancient culture. So when missionaries went to China, they did so with an approach of respect for Chinese culture and language.

We are reminded that this true missionary approach is still appropriate today. St. Francis’ words are still apt: “Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary use words.”

The Chinese appreciate what it means to be Christian when they see teachers who are attentive to their students and are always ready to receive them.

They know that their foreign teachers are not motivated by greed, money or status.

Students are encouraged to go and visit their teachers and talk with them. Many join in wide-ranging conversations, always observing the lifestyle of their teachers and questioning them.

Their method and openness is not new. It echoes the invitation of Jesus and has validity in any age, anywhere.

Columban Father Hugh MacMahon was ordained in 1962 and first went to China in 1995. He is the manager of AITECE.