Catechisti e capi laici delle comunità nella storia della Chiesa in Cina. Prospetto storico e documenti

CATECHISTS AND LAY COMMUNITY LEADERS IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH IN CHINA Historical Overview and documents

This study presents the figures of catechists (xiansheng) and community lead- ers (huizhang) in the history of the Church in China. Through the analysis of his- toriographic sources, archival documents, missionary lexicographic sources and juridical sources, this study offers a terminological frame of the subject and outlines the origin, the development and the institutionalization of these two dif- ferent – but closely connected – secular ministries, which are fundamental to the understanding of the history of the Chinese missions. Starting from the first experiences at the end of the 16th century, through a period of consolidation between the 18th and 19th centuries, up to the decisions of the Chinese Na- tional Council of 1924 and the Second Vatican Council, this paper aims to high- light the importance of the contribution given by the Chinese lay Christians to the foundation, the survival and the growth of the Church in China.