Columbans Kevin O'Neill (left) and Dan Troy(right) with Mr Zhang (second from left), the current owner of the property. Inset: Fr Charles Cullen. Photos. Fr Dan Troy.
In the summer of 1923, Charles Cullen became the first Columban to die in China. He had been here for less than two years when a combination of illness and summer heat took a severe toll on his life.
In a time of immense sadness, the simplicity of the rural setting was highlighted by Edward Galvin when he wrote that there was no coffin available in the area. However, a coffin was eventually donated by a man who was not even a member of the church, the coffin being one that he had prepared for himself.
Ten years ago, prior to the 90th anniversary of the death of Charles Cullen, his family began planning a commemoration event. This led to their enquiry about the location of his grave in rural Hanyang. Earlier attempts by Columbans to locate the grave had failed because many place names in China were changed during the 1950s.
The family's request led to a renewed effort to find the place of burial. A local priest made a special effort to help. It was discovered that the village, originally known as Ko Cha Dzae, had later become known as Bai Guo Shu. This led to a visit to the village about 200 km northwest of Wuhan, a place where the older people remembered the church's location and a grave until their removal in the 1950s. An elderly man even referred to hearing about the large ropes that were used during the burial ceremony, a fact supported by a Far East magazine photo from the time.
The Priests with Guo Dong Zhi. Photo: Fr Dan Troy
In 2013 a plaque to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Charles Cullen's death was erected and blessed by Fr. Joseph Li, Administrator of Hanyang Diocese. Those of us who attended the blessing were delighted to be there. An event we had never expected on that day was that we would meet 97 year old Guo Dong Zhi. She was just seven years of age when Charles Cullen died. She remembered him, and she remembered his funeral. She died just six months after our meeting.
Ten years ago, the family of Charles Cullen published a booklet about his life. Later it was translated into Chinese and has become popular among people in Hanyang Diocese because it traces his life from his birth in a village in Ireland all the way through to his death in a village in China. Interestingly he also features briefly in two scenes in the early Columban film Cross and Dragon, made by Columban Richard Ranaghan. Both priests had been living in the same parish.
On July 13th of this year, the family of Charles Cullen will commemorate the centenary of his death with Mass in Dungiven, Co. Derry, Ireland. Recently his name has been inscribed on the family gravestone of the local cemetery.
School in Bai Guo Shu -the original site of the church and grave. Photo: Fr Dan Troy
A June 2023 visit to the burial place of Charles Cullen seemed to be an appropriate way to prepare for the centenary of his death. The original compound of the church is still as it was ten years ago. It is about 70 years since the church and grave disappeared. A disused school building is now where older people gather to play mahjong. When we spoke with them, they said they knew that a church had existed there and that a priest had also been buried there long ago. The village's simplicity indicates that very little has changed in the area since Charles Cullen lived there a century ago.
In conversation with Mr Zhang, the owner of the property. Photo: Fr Dan Troy
We also met Mr Zhang, the owner of the property. As we sat with him in a nicely decorated tea room, we looked through the booklet published ten years ago. In turning to the picture of himself, we assured him that he looked as young now as he was in the photograph. His hearty laugh indicated that he appreciated our kind observation, even if he did not fully believe it.
As we approach the centenary of the death of Charles Cullen, it is natural for us to think about the immense loss experienced so many years ago and the shock it was for his family to receive the news. During those sad days, we can assume that many people prayed earnestly to God for consolation in their time of deep grief, hoping that God would accompany them through the profound loss.
As we remember the life of Charles Cullen, I think it is also good to offer a prayer of thanks for the man who kindly donated his own coffin so that a deceased Columban could have a dignified burial. We do not even know the name of the man who made such a generous donation. Perhaps we should now give him a name and also include him in the times we pray for Columban benefactors, his kindness a century ago being a genuine expression of love for one's neighbour.
Columban Fr Dan Troy lives and works in Wuhan, China.
Related links
- Read more from the current Columban eBulletin.
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