Abstract
Before the 1990s, Chinese Catholicism primarily adhered to pre-Vatican II principles that required clergy to take a vow of ‘renunciation of parents’ (qijue fumu 弃绝父母). However, after the 1990s, the ethical framework of the Catholic clergy in China evolved rapidly, emphasising the importance of expressing filial piety. Taking a rural Catholic community in southwestern Hubei, China, as an example, this paper analyses the trajectory and logic of the changing relationship between Chinese Catholic clergy and their families through an ethnographic approach. I argue that the shift in the discourse from ‘renunciation of parents’ to filial piety is not only related to the renewal of the Catholic theology since Vatican II but also closely linked to social transformation and moral changes in post-Mao China. Utilising various cultural resources, Chinese Catholics have reconstructed their ethical system to maintain a dynamic balance between religious faith and social development.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callSimilar Papers
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
