Ricci symposium brings together East and West

More than 90 scholars presented papers at Fu Jen Catholic University in a four-day symposium to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of Jesuit Father Matteo Ricci. More than 300 participants from around the world, including 25 from mainland China, gathered on April 19 to discuss East-West dialogue in terms of philosophy, history, religion, culture, science and education.

Father Ricci, an Italian missioner commonly known as Li Madou to Chinese people, was praised for his promotion of dialogue between the East and the West. The organizers had invited some mainland Church people who are involved in cultural research wiht the objective of enhancing and deepening cultural exchanges between mainland China and Taiwan.

Larry Wang Yu-yuan, Taiwan’s ambassador to the Holy See, told UCA News it was good to see the mainland participants coming. There should be more cross-straits exchanges in the academic and religious circles, especially for the Catholic Church, and not just exchanges focusing on the economy, he said. Wang was among the guests who made opening addresses for the event.

Guests unveiling the bronze statue of
Father Matteo Ricci

Cardinal Shan said in his speech that 400 years ago, Father Ricci had achieved the principles of interreligious dialogue as proposed in the Second Vatican Council, namely “mutual respect, mutual understanding and cordial cooperation.” “The secret to Ricci’s success” was respecting Chinese culture without blindly following it and humbly introducing Western science and technology to China. This went against the culture of empty talk among the Chinese scholars of his time, the cardinal said.

The international symposium also premiered a documentary film, Matteo Ricci, a Jesuit in the Kingdom of the Dragon, directed by Gjon Kolndrekaj. Dignitaries unveiled a bronze statue of Father Ricci in front of the Ricci Building of Fu Jen.
Asia News reports the follwoing from Rome:The scientific, cultural, religious dialogue, that was started 400 years ago by Matteo Ricci is still very present in China today marked by a huge economic development, but one which also creates abysmal poverty, conflict and a spiritual vacuum that can only be bridged by a proposal that can combine science and spirit, economy and religious freedom. The Chinese leadership’s own program to build a "harmonious society, a harmonious world" also risks failure. These were the conclusions reached at the international conference on "The China of Today and Matteo Ricci," held 29 April in the sumptuous "Pietro da Cortona" hall at the Capitoline Museums in Rome [To read the full story click here: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/China-in-the-wake-of-Matteo-Ricci;-even-the-economy-needs-religious-freedom-18286.html]