�YESTERDAY, AUGUST 22, 2002 WAS THUS THE DAY OF THE 502nd ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST LATIN-RITE CATHOLIC MASS ON INDIAN (AND ASIAN) SOIL.� (Jorge de Abreu Noronha)
With reference to the above info that appeared on Goanet a couple of days ago, I wish to draw attention to some developments in European Church history of the 13th and 14th centuries that brought Latin Church to the East as a result of the actitivities of the Franciscan and Dominican Orders a couple of centuries before the arrival of the Portuguese on the scene. The Papacy took this opportunity to establish diplomatic links with the great Khan (Mongol) as a strategy of crusades to win ally on the rear. The archdiocese of Khanbaliq was established on this occasion. John de Monte Corvino, Jordan Catalani de Severac, Odoric Pordenone, John of Marignoli from Florence are the best known missionary figures in this venture. They passed through India and established missionary outposts in India. Jordan was a Dominican and Frenchman from Severac. Pope of Avignon named him Latin Bishop of Quilon (Episcopus Columbensis). In his travel correspondence published as "Mirabilia Descripta" he mentions small Christian communities on the Northwest coast of India, and refers to 10,000 Catholics and appreciates the quality of their faith and also to difficulties they faced under the Muslim rulers. Jordan visited South India and mentions about quarrels between the Christians of St. Thomas and the Jews. But it is from John of Marignoli that we have more details about the Latin Church of St. George at Quilon where he spent nearly a year and half. He celebrated the Easter of 1348 there. The rise of Timur and the advance of Islam in the East, as well as the problems of schism in the Western Church put an end to the missionary efforts of the Latin church in the East during this period. Those needing more info about the First Latin Church in India (Asia) could consult: A.M. Mundadan, "History of Christianity in India", Vol. 1 ( Bangalore, 1989) or "Christianity in India: A History in Ecumenical Perspective" ed. by H.C. Perumalil, C.M.I. and E.R. Hambye, S.J. (Allepey, 1972), =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=- To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet ================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
