Cardinal Paul Yu Pin and the French Catholic Influence

This chapter examines the formative historical and religious relationship between Paul Yu Pin (于斌, 1901–1978), the second Chinese cardinal of the Catholic Church, and Henri André Roubin (路平, 1871–1935), missionary of the Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP) in Manchuria, who served in the Mission St. Joseph (Haibei Town 海北鎮), Hailun County (海倫縣), Heilongjiang Province (黑龍江省). First, the chapter analyzes the MEP’s evangelism in northeastern China and the Mission St. Joseph. Second, it examines how Yu Pin, the son of Heilongjiang peasants living near the Manchu–Russian border, was able to receive early education at the Higher Elementary School in Hailun County and Heilongjiang First Normal School and later study for the priesthood in Rome with the support of Roubin and other MEP missionaries. The chapter also analyzes Yu Pin’s involvement in the May Fourth Movement, which strengthened his Catholic faith and ultimately led him to dedicate his life to preaching Christianity and fostering patriotism. Lastly, the chapter highlights Roubin’s significant influence on Yu Pin’s education and the formation of an indigenous clergy in China.