The Historical Roots of the Expulsion of Catholic Missionaries from Mao’s China

Christianity has a long tradition in China. Under the influence of European imperialism and colonial powers, the mission of the church both flourished and became perceived as part of the imperi-alist project. After World War I, the papal letter Maximum illud (1919) with its stance against a nationalistic mission practice was vividly discussed, accepted and contested. At the Shanghai Council (1924), the translation of “catholica religio” was much disputed, in search of a good relationship between the Chinese State and the Vati-can/Church. The communist orientation of the Chinese State meant a particular challenge. The expulsion of foreign missionaries forced the Chinese Catholics to find creative ways to remain Christians and stay in contact with the universal church.