1952 - James Yang

1952

Nanchang, Jiangxi

Bishop Cleary and 11 seminary students in the late 1940s. Nine of these men became priests, and four were imprisoned in the early 1950s, including James Yang.

James Yang was a young man with a heart to see God’s kingdom established among his fellow countrymen. He studied to become a priest throughout the 1940s, graduating as part of the Irish Bishop Patrick Cleary’s class. China was experiencing a time of upheaval and change, as the People’s Republic under Mao Zedong was ushered in.

Early in 1952 Yang was speaking at his church in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. The government had launched the Catholic Patriotic Association, but the more discerning believers knew this was little more than a ploy to control and dominate Catholics in China. As he boldly condemned the new initiatives from the pulpit, James Yang knew he was probably signing his own death warrant. He said:

“The possible consequences of my action have been carefully considered; but the glorious example of our Saviour, who did not spare the last drop of His blood, helps me to hold them as of small account. Although I am not worthy to be one of His Bodyguard or His captains, I hope to find a place in the rank and file or His army…. I earnestly beg you to pray that I may prove an acceptable holocaust.”[1]

Yang’s anticipated persecution proved to be correct. Less than a month after taking his stand, on February 8th, the priest was arrested along with fellow priest John Zhang and Bishop Cleary, who had excommunicated all members who joined the government-sanctioned Catholic Church. As the trio were led through the city crowds jeered and threw stones at them. Others hurled clumps of dirt and spat on them. Cleary was expelled from China and the two Chinese priests were sentenced to many years in prison. James Yang was never heard of again. He is believed to have died in prison.

1. Palmer, God’s Underground in Asia, 171.