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Eucharistic
Whisperings
by Fr.
Winfrid Herbst SDS
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SALVATORIAN MISSIONS IN CHINA
PART II - MACAO (1949-1954)
(Click on any of the photos to see a larger
version)
As noted in Part I (Salvatorian Missions in Fukien,
China - 1922-1949) the community's first missions on mainland China had encountered
many hardships and difficulties, even the murder of one of the priests in 1931. Over the years, the missionaries
were occasionally arrested, imprisoned and interrogated. This was especially true when the Communists gained control
of the government of the country in 1949. Msgr. Inigo Koenig SDS, the Apostolic Prefect of the District, was finally
released from prison in 1953 and was taken to Macao to join the other Salvatorians who had fled the country for
the peninsula in 1949. Several other Salvatorian priests who had been placed under "house arrest" in
Fukien were allowed to leave the mainland in 1954. A few others had to remain there for a few more years before
they were allowed to leave the country.
(The following is adapted from the "Visitation Report" of Fr. Bonaventure Schweitzer SDS - Superior General - 1953-1965
- in "Annales - 1953-1958" pp. 94-98)
"Macao is a peninsula on the South coast of China. It is the oldest colony in the Far East and, since 1557,
in the hands of the Portuguese. The small territory comprises about 10 square kilometers. The whole peninsula is
dotted with houses. The population, mostly Canton Chinese, has almost doubled with the influx of refugees, and
is today about 300,000. In former years, Macao was a smugglers' stronghold and a notorious gambling place. One
reason, it is thought, that the Communists have as yet not occupied the territory - they do not want to lose a
profitable business.
But the Christians of Macao ascribe their safety to the special protection of God. The Coat of Arms of the colony
carries the legend: 'Consecrated to God and ever loyal.' In fact, Macao was spared a Japanese occupation during
the War, while nearby Hong Kong fell into their hands.
In 1949, when the Communists began to over-run our Fukien Mission, it was decided to take our Chinese novices and
scholastics to safety. So Father Leonard Gerke and these young Chinese came to Macao, where Bishop Ramalho SJ offered
them asylum. Soon afterwards they were able to buy the present house and on June 13, 1949, the new foundation was
formally opened. As well as Father Leonard, there were four Chinese priests, two scholastics, two major and nine
minor seminarians, one Chinese language teacher and three university students.
In September 1950, Fr. Theodore Faschingbaur, Fr. Arnold Cotey, Bro. Marion Rinderer, and Bro. Venard Blais arrived
from the USA. A year later, Fr. Beatus Schneble was transferred to Macao and given the care of our Chinese confreres.
In the following years, our expelled missionaries, together with Msgr. Inigo Koenig, found welcome hospitality
in Macao.
Our people seem to be well received in Macao, with its many religious orders and institutions. The house our confreres
occupy is well situated and has a home-like atmosphere. The climate, however, is hot and humid and, with all the
mosquitos, the danger of malaria is never far off.
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