CHAPTER II

CICM in the World

The CICM in the Different Continents
Asia = the emphasis is on evangelization and attempts
to dialogue with the great religions of the region.

Africa = the accent is on communion and solidarity.

Americas = the accent is on solidarity in the struggle for

liberation.

Europe = search for missionary integration

“One of the basic reasons for the missionary
engagement for the majority of the confreres is their
concern to serve the poorest, to struggle with them
and for them, so that the poor may live a liberated
life, in dignity and solidarity.”
(Silhouettes and Profiles, coll.: “CICM Spirituality”,
no4)
The CICM missionaries cherish the spirit of the radical
availability of the first generations of CICM missionaries
who left their home country, often to never return.
• Treaty of Pei-Ching – signed on 25 October 1890. The
gates of empires were open to the missionaries.

• Go to China to find an orphanage – presented to

Cardinal Engelbert Sterckx
“My good friend, as far as I
am concerned, I do not want
to give you advice. I see you
leave with deep regrets, but I
derive comfort from the idea
that you do nothing else that
give in to the voice of God
which calls you.”

-The Vicar General, Jean-Baptiste Van Hemel

(CICM Missionaries Past and Present,1862-
1987, P26)
Alois Van Segvelt
“If God wants you to execute these plans, then I shall
not be a hindrance to you; quite the contrary, you shall
go with my blessings, convinced the Divine Providence
shall give me other excellent priests to replace the ones
that I shall have to do without. Permit me to leave it at
that and do not ask the I contribute in an active way to
your departure. You have to address other people to
know the road to follow”

- Cardinal E. Sterckex
(CICM Missionaries Past and Present,1862-1987, P28)
 Alois Van Segvelt Ferdinand Hamer

Theophile Verbist Frans Vranckx Paul Splingaerd

ASIA
Xiwanzi, early twentieth century
Notes:
Xiwanzi was the Vincentian (Congregation of the Mission –
CM) (inspired by the life and work of Vincent de Paul) base of
operations in Inner Mongolia, and it was where the Scheut
missionaries would have their ‘on-the-job training’ before setting
out for themselves.

On 27 November 1866 the reinforcements arrived: four more

priests.

A year later a third and provisionally final caravan arrived with

two more priests.
Xiwanzi Cathedral, first half of the twentieth century.
Notes:

In the nineteenth century Mongolian princes each ruled their

own territory, but paid tribute to the Emperor in Beijing.

Although Catholicism was associated with the Western Powers

that had recently humiliated the Chinese Empire, part of the
population of Inner Mongolia had already been converted by
French Vincentians and a dozen Chinese had already been
ordained to the priesthood in 1865.
 Lambert Van Avezaath
Martin Guisset Willem Meyer Jan-August Thys

On 27 November 1866 the reinforcements arrived: four more priests.

 Remi Verlinden Theodoor Rutjes

A year later a third and provisionally final caravan arrived with two
more priests.
Popular entertainment in Mongolia: captive tiger and monkey.
Two Eastern-Mongolian men working.

Since the mid-eighteenth century more and more Chinese had been settling north of the Great
Wall.
Donkeys with carts, a popular transport.
Popular entertainment in Mongolia: Dancing bears
Children working in Eastern Mongolia.
Missionaries at work in Inner Mongolia on a cold winter’s day,
1904.
Despite the many setbacks facing the Scheut missionaries, in
early 1868 Verbist regarded the mission as stable enough for
him to return to Brussels to run the noviciate.

In the weeks before his departure he made a pastoral visit to

all the mission stations in his vicariate. But then disaster
struck. On 23 February 1868, only two years after having
arrived in Mongolia, Verbist was struck down by typhus near
Lao-Hu-Kou. He was buried in the local chapel.
Crypt of Lao-Hu-Kou Chapel with Verbist’s funeral monument.
Congo
C. De Deken A. Jansen

J. Steeeneman
 E. Cambier A. De Backer
F. Huberlant A. Gueluy
12 pupil of the school at Nouvelle-Anvers, Congo
C. De Deken and the five Sisters of Charity
Residence of Mgr. C. Van Ronsle
First Church at Kangu, Congo
Philippines
 - Victor Faniel

- Jozef Billiet

- Jozef De Samber
- Paul Hubaux
- Alfons Claerhout
- Adolf Van Hecke
- Albert Van Zuyt
- Jozef Schipman

- Oftaaf Van de Walle - Marcel Ghysebrechts

Building of a Church at Bontoc
The Church and house of the missionaries at Bauko
Fr. Alberto Duggom, First Igorot priest in The Mountain Province
Indonesia
Sacred Hear church, Makasar, Indonesia
First chapel at Sepang, Indonesia
Singapore
Taiwan (Formosa)
Japan
Newly baptized students from the Junshin school
Sojiji temple in Yokohama: An encounter of Christian missionaries
and Zen Buddhist monks
East Timor