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The Christian theological conversation spans two millennia. Recently, however, more scholars have begun to recognize that, in the words of Andrew Walls, “the theological agenda is culturally induced; and the cross-cultural diffusion of Christian faith invariably makes creative theological activity a necessity.” What does that look like in practice? Doesn’t that lead to syncretism? Can’t we just teach a pure gospel? On June 10, 2021, Dr. Jesse Ciccotti spoke on theologizing in Chinese contexts by first discussing theology as an “idiomatic activity,” that is, an activity by which Christian thought is expressed in ways that are natural to a cultural native. He then highlighted key Chinese cultural material in Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism and illustrated these with examples. He closed with a discussion of the relevance of cross-cultural theological creativity, as well as its risks. About Dr. Jesse Ciccotti Jesse Ciccotti holds a PhD in Comparative Philosophy from Hong Kong Baptist University and an MA in Chinese Philosophy from Wuhan University. He and his family lived in China for 12 years. Dr. Ciccotti’s primary research area in philosophy has led him down several interdisciplinary paths, one of which is historical studies of Christianity in China, regarding the transmission of the Christian message across cultural boundaries, examining the lives and works of Chinese Christians and foreign missionaries to China. His work for the Center for Global Christianity and Mission focuses on the recently opened online archive of Chinese Christian posters. the presentation additional resources Dr. Ciccotti has also provided the content of his lecture for download and a reading list for those who want to learn more. Christian Theology in a Chinese Idiom Lecture Christian Theology in a Chinese Idiom Reading List This event was part of a collaborative public lecture series, “Exploring Christianity and Culture in China: Today and Yesterday,” cohosted by ChinaSource, the US-China Catholic Association, and the China Academic Consortium.

A special feature has been added to the upcoming 28th International Conference of the US-China Catholic Association, which will be held August 6-8, 2021, at Santa Clara University. The USCCA has planned for two day-trips after the conference ends for participants to further enjoy their time in California. The two options are "A Day in San Francisco" and/or "A Day in Monterey and Carmel-by-the -Sea." To learn more about these day trips, or to learn about ways you can extend and enjoy your time in the Golden State after the conference, please click here .

USCCA is proud to announce the addition of Myron Youngman, Founder and Director of the Kaifa Group, as a keynote speaker for the upcoming 28th International Conference of the US-China Catholic Association, themed "China, Christianity, and the Dialogue of Civilizations." He will speak about the circumstances of the Protestant churches in China and the challenges they face today. General conference information > All keynote speakers >

USCCA is pleased to announce the addition of Kathleen O'Brien to the team. Kathleen will serve as Bay Area Coordinator for the Campus Engagement Initiative , effective Spring 2022. Kathleen's commitment to her Catholic faith and passion for Chinese culture were nurtured during her time at Bradley University, where she was a religious studies and philosophy major. Upon graduation, she dedicated three years as a Maryknoll lay missionary, teaching English in China at Jilin Agricultural College and Jilin Catholic Seminary. Kathleen’s years in China were transformative. They led her to Chicago where she is currently in her last year of study for a master’s in systematic theology at Catholic Theological Union. She is excited to be a part of carrying on the imperative mission of the USCCA by helping to launch the Campus Engagement Initiative.

This October, members of the latest USCCA book circle will meet for their first discussion of The Souls of China: The Return of Religion after Mao by Ian Johnson. The Souls of China tells the story of one of the world’s great spiritual revivals. Following a century of violent, anti-religious campaigns, China is now filled with new temples, churches and mosques–as well as cults, sects and politicians trying to harness religion for their own ends. Driving this explosion of faith is uncertainty–over how to live an ethical life in a country that discarded traditional morality a century ago and is still searching for new guideposts. Participation in the book circle is open to all USCCA Affiliates. Learn more about becoming an Affiliate here > Ian Johnson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, researcher, and senior fellow for China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. He is currently writing a book about how history is used to both legitimize and challenge Communist Party rule in China. He closely follows China’s efforts to bolster its soft power around the globe. Johnson was also a keynote presenter at the USCCA’s latest international conference, “China, Christianity, and the Dialogue of Civilizations.” You may view keynote address here> To find out more about joining this book circle, contact Mr. Xin Chen at Admin@USCatholicChina.org .

Our partners in Beijing are moderately optimistic that by the latter part of the summer, we will be able to host one or more China study tours. These study tours offer a unique opportunity to better understand Chinese society and the circumstances of the Christians who live there. At present, we are assessing interest from possible participants in three possible study tours: “ From the Heartland to the Borderlands: Faith in Chinese Context ” ; “ USCCA Friends Across the Pacific: Solidarity in Challenging Times ” ; and “ China Ever Ancient, Ever Young: The Human Quest. ” If you believe you would be interested in joining us, we invite you to view the above tour options. Then either fill in the corresponding interest form or you can drop an email to Bernard Ciernick, the USCCA’s Study Tour Coordinator ( USCCA.StudyTours@gmail.com ) with any questions.

On September 12, 2021, the Maryknoll Sisters celebrated a century of service in China. The original Maryknoll mission to China set sail on September 24, 1921. It consisted of six Sisters and two priests. Today, there are eight Maryknoll Sisters doing missionary work in Hong Kong and five Maryknoll priests in the country. It was through the collaborative efforts of Maryknoll, the Jesuits, other religious orders, and concerned U.S. bishops that China Association was established in 1989. At the time, it was known as the United States Catholic China Bureau and based at Seton Hall University. Maryknoll Sister Janet Carroll served as its founding executive director. We offer the Maryknoll Sisters our congratulations and gratitude for all they have done for our organization and for the people and the Church in China. Read more from the Maryknoll Sister here > Read more from the Catholic News Service here >

We are hopeful as we announce the launch of our 2021 Annual Appeal, happening this weekend. Our goal is to raise 30K in 30 days. We are especially fortunate this year because each dollar that our donors give will be matched up by generous benefactors up to an additional $30,000. Click here to meet the challenge, double your impact, and help us reach our goal of $60,000 in support of our mission. The past 18 months have been challenging for everyone, but the USCCA has not been sidelined. We enjoyed a successful international conference: participants were able to meet in person and online; keynote speakers joined us from around the world; academic and pastoral panels gave all who assembled a deeper appreciation of the challenge of the Gospel. The USCCA also published an American edition of Lu Nan’s monumental On the Road , his photographic journey which brilliantly captures love and faith in the everyday life of the China’s rural Catholics. The China Association co-hosted three online talks discussing Christian Theology in China, Current Views on Hong Kong, and Confucian and Christian Dialogue. We held online sessions advancing the USCCA’s Campus Engagement Initiative. Now we are excited to announce an addition to the team: Kathleen O'Brien (MA in Theology, Catholic Theological Union, pictured left), who will join the USCCA full-time in June 2022. ​ We were able to continue our book circles, where participants read timely and topical works related to faith, China, and the modern era. Amongst the circle members are people from the US and greater China, sisters and priests, professors, and committed lay people. We pray that you will stand by us. There is no gift too small. Your contribution will keep us moving forward! Learn more about the Annual Appeal and Donate >

During the last weekend of August 2021, Fr. Michael Agliardo, Director of the USCCA, spoke at all 11 Masses at Christ Cathedral in the Diocese of Orange. The Cathedral parish is a vibrant community which hosts four Vietnamese Masses, three English, three Spanish, and one Chinese. The Vietnamese priests very graciously assisted Fr. Michael in getting his message out, since he does not speak Vietnamese. Fr. Michael enlightened Mass participants to the challenges Catholics face in China as society changes and modernizes, and he promoted the mission of the USCCA. He also shared images from Lu Nan’ s photo essay on China’s Catholics, On the Road , encouraging the faithful in each of the groups he spoke with to reflect on the place of Christian faith in their history. Who passed the faith on to them? Spanish speakers from Latin America, the Vietnamese faithful, and those other Americans who attended the English Mass all drew inspiration from the experience of their fellow Catholics in China.

Combined in-person and online attendance made the US-China Catholic Association’s 28th International Conference the most successful in our history. Entitled, “China, Christianity, and the Dialogue of Civilizations,” the conference took place August 6-8, 2021, at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California. Keynote speakers and panelists reflected on the ways that Christianity and Chinese culture have engaged one another, and they confronted some of the crucial challenges and issues of the day. We are pleased to announce that videos of the presentation are now available for viewing on our website. Click here to learn more about the Conference > Click here to watch the Keynote videos > Click here to watch the Panel videos >

The USCCA is proud to announce the addition of four new members to the organization's Board of Directors. Jim Gradoville Jim has lived and worked in China for twenty years in both the corporate and non-profit sectors, and while he is not a China scholar or linguist, he has an abiding interest in the relationship between China and the United States and the world. He believes we need to build bridges wisely with China and the USCCA is committed to that in its own special way. His experience as Board chairmen of The Beijing Center from 2007 to 2011 introduced him to the work of the Jesuits in China and kindled a fond appreciation of their work and the long-standing commitment by the Catholic Church to engage both the Church in China and the government. He has worked in roles such as: deputy director of the International Potato Center (CIP) China; CEO of the World Wildlife Fund-China; non-P&L president of United Technologies Corporation-China; and vice president, Motorola - Asia Pacific Government Relations. He has served as Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce – China Board of Governors. Damiano Servidio Damiano is a vice president and underwriting manager with Everest Insurance. Prior to joining Everest he worked at Zurich Insurance (US) for 20 years, where he served in various management roles in both underwriting and claims. Damiano received his Juris Doctorate from Saint Louis University School of Law (1992) and a Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University (1989). He is an active member of St. Cecilia’s Church in Rockaway, New Jersey and has been a Knight of Columbus (Council #3359), serving in a range of officer roles since 2006. Damiano has served as a volunteer for the USCCA over the past 3 years. Rev. John S. Chen, Ph.D. Fr. John Chen currently serves as a pastor in the Boston Archdiocese. After graduating from Boston College with Ph.D. in Higher Education in 2003, he went back to China to serve the Catholic Church as the executive vice rector of the National Seminary in Beijing. During his tenure, the seminary was transformed from one single class of seminarians into an institution with about 200 students (seminarians, priests, religious sisters and laity), as well as a graduate program in theology. He published a book entitled The Rise and Fall of Furen University, Beijing (Routledge-Palmer, New York). Br. John Chrysostom Liting Long, OSB While pursuing undergraduate studies in China, John Chrysostom took advantage of a library in the nearby Catholic cathedral. There he met and received instructions from the pastor and was baptized in 2002 at age 23. In 2007 he entered the National Seminary of the Catholic Church in China, Beijing, where he completed a year of philosophy. In the seminary, John Chrysostom was influenced by a visiting Saint Ottilien Benedictine monk from South Korea who introduced him to lectio divina (meditative reading of Scripture) and sparked his interest in monastic life. He completed a bachelor’s degree in Theology from Saint John’s University and now serves as a Faculty Resident, living in Mary Hall with some fifty undergraduates. He was appointed Assistant Guestmaster of the Abbey Guesthouse in May 2021. We welcome these new board members and look forward to their contributions to our mission!

Father Francis Cui Qingqi, OFM, was ordained as Bishop of Hankou/Wuhan on September 8, 2021. He is the sixth bishop ordained under the 2018 Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and China and the fourth consecrated since the accord was renewed in October 2020. The Provisional Agreement was signed in Beijing on September 22, 2018, by representatives of the Vatican and China with the shared hope of fostering a path of institutional dialogue and contributing positively to the life of the Catholic Church in China, to the good of the Chinese people, and to peace in the world. Bishop Cui filled the post which has been vacant since Franciscan Archbishop Bernardine died on May 12, 2007. Born in Xiangyuan of Shanxi province in 1964, Bishop Cui was ordained a priest in 1991. He has been the administrator of Wuhan Diocese and parish priest of the cathedral since December 2012. He was appointed deputy secretary of the Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church in China (BCCCC) in 2016 and became the provincial president of the Catholic Patriotic Association of Hubei in January 2018. Read more from Vatican News here >