The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-21
CATH0LICITY IN sHAN.sF, CHINA

Chinese Priest Interviewcd--What He
Thinks or New York.
The Rev. Father Joseph Van, native OF North
western China, and missionary priest Of the Col
lege OF the Propaganda Rome, has been for the
past ten days the guest OF the Rev. DR.. McGynn Of
st. Stephens (Roman Catholic) church, in this
city. The present CONDITION OF China engrosses so
much Of public attention that HERALD reporter
was sent to interview the reverend Father and get
an accurate and reliable statement OF the pros
poets OF Christianity in the land Of Confuclansm,
Buddhism and Taouism. The reporter being intro
duced by the Rev. Father McCready, OF st. Steph-
phens the following interesting conversation took
place In Latin, which language Father Van speaks
with mnch intelligence and nuency:-
'REPoKrKR-Rev. Father, the people OF America
take much interest in the afars Of China and will
be pleased to read in the HERALD an account OF
how Christianity fares in your native country.
Father vAN-I can only speak of the province OF
shan-se, in which i was brought up and have
oniciated as an humble priest Of God during the
past twenty three years.
REPoRrER-what is the present Catholic popula-
ton Of Shan-sef
Father vAN-we have about seven thousand
Catholics scattered through the province. Twenty
three priests-eightecn natives and five Eu-
ropeansattend to the spiritual wants of the faith
tunate brethren "who SIT in darkness" and wallow
in the mire OF degrading idolatry. 8.
REPORTER-Do not the Protestant missionaries
help their Catholic brethren to Christianize the
Pagans OF Shan-scY s .a e.lf K
Father vAN-The Protestants have not any set
tied mission in the province. Their agents dis
tribute tracts and Bibles, and occasionally address
the people in the ncighborhood OF the pagodas;
but, as their visits are only transient, they merely
produce doubts and erroneous ideas OF the God
head In the minds OF the idolaters. Hung-sew-
tseuen, the leader of the Tae-ping rebels in 1850
sion tho doctrine Of some Christian tracts, which
he interpreted Ito his own destruction,n and
caused mnen bloodshed and misery throughout the
REroRrER- Who Is at the head Of the Catholic
movement In Slan-seG
Catholics are most loyal to the Holy Father But
our local superior is the Most Rev. Vicar Apostolic,
Mission, confirms, ordains and discharges all the
duties Of bishop as wen a. those Of an apostle to
REPoRTER-Have the shan-se Catholics full
liberty OF conscience r M
rat6e, vAsaWs yes The % man az not
cism Is hateful to the Pagan priests and they have
great influence over the common people. Chris
fary N sny shape Is aee tolerated through
the great American people. n the authorities
dared they would not leave single protesting
REroRrkE-May ask you your object in visiting
Father vAs-seven months ago left paote on
OF my mission with Cardinal Barnabo. After q
long and wearis0me journey reached the Pacific
coast and sailed for California l spent few days
in San Francisco, when sailed for New York. i
landed here on the nth OF this month, and have
since been the guest OF the Rev. DR.. McGlynn, who
has treated me with the greatest kindness and con-
sideration. He is, suppose you knew, q graduate
OF the College OF the Propaganda Rome, and i,
too, claim It as my Alma Mater. | shall sail for
France on Saturday In the Vile du Havre, and
hope to pay my respects to His Holiness the Pope
early next month"; - An
REPORTRR-How do you like New York
Father IAN--lt Is grand city. have been to
the Central PARK, ana admired its beauty very
much. All the people here seem to me to be In o
hurry. When l landed was In pittable condi-
ton. could not make myself understood by any
one. ] did not know soul In this vast city. But
trusted IN God, and He sent me to st. Stephens,
where found most affectionate friends in DR..
McGlynn and his assistants
REPORTER-Rev. Father, am thankful for your
courtesy, and wish you prosperous voyage
Father VAN-Goodby! God bless you.
On saturday last Father Van embarked on the
Vile du Havre en- route 10 Rome. He Is the only
Chinese priest that has ever been in America.