Father Pascal Angelicus Melotto, OFM, popularly known as Father Mei Zhanchun was a Roman Catholic priest of the Franciscan Order. The Father Mei Memorial Catholic Hospital in Hankou, China was erected in his memory. He is one of the earliest Martyrs in China.[1][2][3]
Fr. Pascal Angelicus Melotto, OFM | |
|---|---|
| Missionary Priest | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Orders | |
| Rank | Catholic Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1864 |
| Died | 1923 (aged 58–59) Hankou China |
| Buried | Mei Pavilion |
| Nationality | Italian |
Early life and priesthood
editFather Mei was born in Lonigo, Italy in year 1864. He joined the Franciscan order in the year 1880.[2][1][3]
Persecution and death in China
editMei arrived in China in 1902 and adopted the Chinese name Father Mei Zhanchun.
He was kidnapped in 1923 and a large ransom was demanded. He was moved many times between Hubei and Henan provinces while in custody and died after three months because one of the kidnappers shot him in the stomach with a poisoned bullet. Shortly before dying, he said that, “I am happy to die for the Chinese. I lived in China for the Chinese and now I am happy to die for them.”
His remains were transferred to a memorial structure called the Mei Pavilion.[4][1][2][3]
Erection of Memorial
editAfter the involvement of the Italian government and Vatican, a hospital by the name Father Mei Memorial Catholic hospital was erected as his memorial in Hankou.[3][2][1]
Demolition of Memorial
editIn 1952, all the missionaries were expelled from China and the hospital was renamed from Father Mei Memorial Catholic Hospital to Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital. In 2008, the hospital was destroyed and moved to another location.[1][2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e "Wuhan — Franciscans were present there over 100 years ago". Ordo Fratrum Minorum. 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
- ^ a b c d e "Chinese hospital treating coronavirus has a unique Catholic history". Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture. 2020-02-21. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
- ^ a b c d Telegraph, The Catholic. "China's first saint was martyred on a cross in Wuhan". Catholic Telegraph. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
- ^ "China's first saint was martyred on a cross in Wuhan". Detroit Catholic. Retrieved 2020-12-25.