Roman Catholic Leader. A native of P'ou-tong, near Shanghai, he was taught Chinese classics and religious instruction by his aunt Martha, a homebound nun, who encouraged him to join the priesthood. He later attended St. Ignatius High School in Shanghai and entered the seminary. On May 28, 1930, he was ordained. From 1930 to 1949, he did pastoral work in the diocese of Shanghai and although a diocesan priest, he was appointed headmaster of Aurora High School and later of Gonzaga High School, both run by the Society of Jesus. On October 7, 1949, he was consecrated bishop of Soochow. A few months later, he was transferred to Shanghai and also appointed apostolic administrator of Soochow and Nanking, this on July 15, 1950. When persecution against church started, he was arrested by the Communists on September 8, 1955 and sentenced to life in prison, almost five years later, on March 16, 1960. He became one of the most famous prisoners of conscience adopted by Amnesty International. He was released from jail and placed under house arrest, in 1985. His political rights were reinstated by a Shanghai tribunal, on January 6, 1988. During all his thirty years in jail, he exerced his pastoral ministry. Although Pope John Paul II had created cardinal and reserved him in pectore, on June 30, 1979, he was able to receive his red biretta only on June 30, 1991. Beginning in 1988, he resided in the United States, mostly in Stamford, Connecticut, where he passed away.
Roman Catholic Leader. A native of P'ou-tong, near Shanghai, he was taught Chinese classics and religious instruction by his aunt Martha, a homebound nun, who encouraged him to join the priesthood. He later attended St. Ignatius High School in Shanghai and entered the seminary. On May 28, 1930, he was ordained. From 1930 to 1949, he did pastoral work in the diocese of Shanghai and although a diocesan priest, he was appointed headmaster of Aurora High School and later of Gonzaga High School, both run by the Society of Jesus. On October 7, 1949, he was consecrated bishop of Soochow. A few months later, he was transferred to Shanghai and also appointed apostolic administrator of Soochow and Nanking, this on July 15, 1950. When persecution against church started, he was arrested by the Communists on September 8, 1955 and sentenced to life in prison, almost five years later, on March 16, 1960. He became one of the most famous prisoners of conscience adopted by Amnesty International. He was released from jail and placed under house arrest, in 1985. His political rights were reinstated by a Shanghai tribunal, on January 6, 1988. During all his thirty years in jail, he exerced his pastoral ministry. Although Pope John Paul II had created cardinal and reserved him in pectore, on June 30, 1979, he was able to receive his red biretta only on June 30, 1991. Beginning in 1988, he resided in the United States, mostly in Stamford, Connecticut, where he passed away.
Bio by: Guy Gagnon
Inscription
KUNG PIN - MEI
HIS EMINENCE IGNATIUS CARDINAL
AUG. 2, 1901 - MAR. 12, 2000
BISHOP OF SHANGHAI, CHINA
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