Cardinal Paul Yu Pin
-Emmanuelle Minoungou
Photo taken by Emma
Cardinal Paul Yu Pin, born on April 13, 1901, and died on August 16, 1978, was one of the most famous religious men to stand against the communist domination of China. From Taiwan, he fought during his lifetime not only to bring souls to God but also to help the needy to escape oppression in China by siding up with Taiwan’s leader of the time.
Cardinal Paul Yu Pin was a devoted servant of God who dedicated his life to the service of God. Called the voice of the wild in homage to John the Baptist, Cardinal Paul Yu Pin was known for his love for the gospel. From 1946, the cardinal served God in China until the end of the new communist regime in 1949. Forced to leave the country because of the rise of communism, he was exiled to the United States, where he dedicated himself to helping Chinese Americans and raised funds to help refugees from communist China who resettled in Taiwan, where Fu Jen Catholic University made him Rector Magnifico and president until 1978.
In 1923, Yu entered Rome Communication University to study philosophy and theology. He learned to speak more than 10 languages. On 22 December 1928, he became an ordained priest. In 1959, Pope John XXIII asked him to work toward rebuilding Fu Jen in Taiwan. The third Catholic Institute of Higher Education in China closed in 1950 when its rector priest was arrested by communist authorities. Since then, he worked hard to make Fu Jen great in Taiwan where his status has been sculpted and placed near the main entrance of the University. His personal belongings have been kept previously in the FUHO museum where students can learn about him. The FUHO History Office contains a Memorial Hall to Cardinal Paul Yu pin where his talent and contributions to the country and church are commemorated through some of his displayed relics.
After working at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan, he was more and more determined to rescue refugees from China. He was one of Chiang Kai-Shek’s closest advisors, and never missed an opportunity to address the issue of communism to any potential helper. He attended the second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965. In April 1969, he was honored as the cardinal priest of Gesu Divin Lavoratore by Pope Paul VI. Upon his resignation as Fu Jen’s rector in August 1976, he became the first director of Dharma Realm Buddhist University’s Institute for World Religion.
He was also appreciated for his good deeds. Sister Maryta Laumann, a German missionary who has been in Taiwan for over 50 years and also called the mother of textile and clothing said, “He was a remarkable person, ready to risk it all to help others. To him, all lives mattered, and all souls were important.” He has done so much for the population that his anniversary remained celebrated over the years.