Lin Gao Qiming

Chapter 680 People of the Order

"That strange Italian?" Trigger said dissatisfiedly, "I think he is a suspicious person."

Besides Weiss Lando, there was also a young priest named Cecilio who accompanied him to Lingao.He is a student of Jinli Pavilion, and the monk respects him very much.

There are still many goods that will go to Lingao with their party.In addition to the various goods sold to Lingao in accordance with the supply agreement between the two parties, there are also gifts from the Society of Jesus: sacristy in the church, decorative objects in the church, crucifixes, stained glass paintings, large cast iron chandeliers, candlesticks and various sculptures Wait, wait, there are so many things to see.Many things are purchased from the Philippines and even Europe.Father Trigg—or according to his own new Chinese name: Jin Lige—was surprised to see the long bill of lading

"To transport so many things?"

"A new church will be completed in Lingao, and they are also planning to expand the main church and seminary in Lingao."

"Since Australians have their own churches, churches and monasteries, they have the best craftsmen in the world. Why should we provide all the supplies?" Jin Lige felt incomprehensible, "There are three thousand small Cross, shall we provide this too?"

"Yes, it's part of the mission agreement."

"God!" Jin Lige drew the sign of the cross, "Are they still the lambs of God?"

"Many Australians are atheists." Father Comanger crossed himself when he said the word, "God bless. There are indeed believers in God among them, but they are not the ones who really hold power."

A group of businessmen who are not even philistines are in power—this is Father Comanger's feeling.

Jin Lige's face turned pale immediately.In his mind, "atheists" are more terrifying than "heretics".

"However, their gentlemen are gentle, courteous, and knowledgeable people. Their hearts—" Comange sighed regretfully, "may the light of God shine into their dark hearts..."

"This is the top secret of the Jesuit Society of Macau." Father Comange took out a document from a locked filing cabinet. "You can read it here and keep it in your heart."

What Father Comange gave him was a document secretly written according to Father Lu Ruohua's letter.

His "Lingao Correspondence Collection" circulated in the church is not complete.Many key elements were deleted by the Jesuits.The Jesuits have learned the lessons of missionary work in Japan and resolutely do not allow other religious orders to set foot in Hainan Island to preach.Not only does it require missionary privileges, but it also completely controls key information.

This document involves the religious status and ideological orientation of the rulers of Lingao - the elders.

One of the lists is the status of the main clergymen in the Australian church and the Catholics and believers of other denominations among Australians that Lu Ruohua has discovered.

There are now thousands of Catholics in Lingao, including those in Li District, and there are over a hundred monks and monks in the monastery.But the Jesuits value the Catholics among Australians more - they know very well that Aboriginal believers have no role in Lingao's power structure.

It is the top priority of the Jesuits to develop new believers among the elders as much as possible-this is also a major task entrusted to Jin Lige by the Jesuits.Only then can the Jesuits have influence in the Australian Senate.

"The Lingao Church is now under the jurisdiction of a monastery abbot named Wu Shimang, and his official title is the abbot of Lingao Seminary." Father Comange introduced, "Similarly, he is also an Australian patriarch. a member of the court, and enjoys the power of the nobility."

"Is he a devout believer?" The position of the abbot, which is very lucrative and has complicated property rights, is often considered in Europe to be the main corrupt element of the church.

"Ah, according to Brother Lu Ruohua's letter, Dean Wu is a capable abbot of the seminary. Very capable." Comange said.

This means that he is very good at running the monastery, but not very enthusiastic about religion.

"Has he been consecrated?"

"I don't think so." Father Comange smiled. "Brother Lu said that he doesn't look like a priest who has been ordained."

"Is he a secular abbot?"

"It's hard to say, we still can't figure out the specific organization of the Australian church. It feels like they are very random." Comanger commented, "There is also one of his assistants, the priest of Bairen Church."

"Priest Bai is a very good believer—he used to be Brother Lu's assistant and contributed a lot in spreading the gospel. At the same time, he is also a theologian—he provided the Chinese version of the Catechism. "

"Thank God."

"Miss Diana Mendoza. A devout believer."

Jin Lige was disappointed: "Are there only these three?"

"Yes, judging from Brother Lu Ruohua's letter, among the elders of the Australian Senate, only these three are the Lamb of God." Comange frowned and said, "There are still Puritans in the Senate."

"God!" Jin Lige cried out.

"It's two European women. Brother Lu said they speak strange English."

"Are they English?"

"I don't think so. Apart from having a European appearance, their behavior is no different from other Australians." Father Comanger said slowly, "Although they are heretics, they don't seem to be interested in religion. ..."

"Are there no Puritan places of worship?"

"No." Comange said with a sigh of regret, "but they have another powerful heretical church. It's called 'Tao'."

"Father Matteo Ricci mentioned in his works: This is the native idol worship of the Chinese..."

"Exactly. But Australians don't have idols in their 'Tao' places. Father Lu Ruohua mentioned this in his letter." Father Comange said, "Unfortunately, the Australian elders in Lingao seem to have 'Tao' is more popular."

"Are they believers in 'Tao'?"

"No, as I said, most of them are atheists."

"That is to say, they do not favor 'Tao' because of their beliefs."

"That's right." Father Comanger said, "I think the Australian senators are not so much believing in 'Tao', but rather using it as a ruling tool. The leader of the 'Tao' church is a young man named Zhang. He You have exquisite traditional Chinese medical skills, and because of this, you have won the support of many believers. Especially in the savage area, I heard that it is very popular, and it is your main opponent on the way of spreading the gospel."

"Unfortunately, I don't know medicine."

"When it comes to medicine, neither the Chinese nor ours are as strong as the Australians. What they need is artistic talent. Australians lack painters, singers and sculptors—ah, but according to the Lu Ruohua brothers, Australia should not lack Such talents, but they don’t seem to have come to Lingao. You are an artist, good at sculpture and painting, and Brother Cecilio knows musical instruments. These will be very useful in Lingao——It will help you get more in touch with Australia people."

"Finally, I would like to draw your attention to He Ying. In the secular regime of the Australians, his title is 'Religious Affairs Officer'. This is a very powerful position-it seems that Australians and Dutch or The Ottomans implemented a similar policy: allowing various beliefs and heresies to spread in the country. And he is the general manager and arbiter of all religious affairs." Father Komange said, "Properly giving him certain benefits will help spread The cause of the Gospel brings great good."

"Yes, but I saw Brother Lu Ruohua's letter. Australians don't seem to be interested in gifts. He said that Australians are the cleanest and most decent rulers he has ever seen."

"Oh, you can't give gifts of great value—they don't want them. Do they want a Venetian cup or something?" said Father Comanger. "Where is your talent? Painting." , statues, maybe they still need construction..." Father Comange slowly raised his eyelids and looked at him.

"Yes, I see."

"In addition, the church in Australia is very different from ours. Christians do not observe Lent."

"God!"

"According to President Wu, the church in Australia has been like this since ancient times." Father Comanger said, "This problem is not unforgivable. I believe the Holy See will give a special pardon for this."

Father Jin Lige returned to his humble lower place with surprise, longing and all kinds of fantasies——to pack his luggage.A priest doesn't have much luggage, just a few extra clothes.The most important thing is the supplies for painting.Brushes, paints, oils and all kinds of odds and ends for painting - many not only cannot be bought locally, but even in Europe, they can only be bought in Italy.He brought many with him when he came to the Far East.

The priest has a trainee monk as an entourage named John Dermot, who comes from the "Island of Saints" - Ireland.The novice was pale and emaciated with fiery red hair.He not only came to train as a monk, but also learned painting from him.The priest was very fond of this young and diligent monk, and often taught him many painting techniques.

Brother Dermot was drawing an icon painting in his room. Jin Lige carefully watched him paint the bright blue on the drawing board--this is a special blue that can only be bought in Venice, such a large area of ​​paint on the An unsophisticated painting made him feel a little distressed.Dermot's technique is very good, but the portrait is very dull - Jin Lige knows that his disciple's artistic talent is very limited.But he is very fanatical, whether it is faith or painting.

"Is your painting almost finished?"

"It will be finished soon."

(End of this chapter)