Joseph Zhu Baoyu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Most Reverend Joseph Zhu Baoyu |
|
|---|---|
| Bishop Emeritus of Nanyang | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Nanyang |
| Appointed | November 21, 2002 |
| Reign ended | 2010 |
| Predecessor | Joseph Jin Dechen |
| Successor | Peter Jin Lugang |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1957 |
| Consecration | March 19, 1995 by Joseph Jin Dechen, Thomas Zhang Huai-xin, Nicholas Shi Jingxian |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 July 1921 Pushan, Henan, China |
| Died | 7 May 2020 (aged 98) Nanyang, Henan, China |
Joseph Zhu Baoyu (simplified Chinese: 朱宝玉; traditional Chinese: 朱寶玉; pinyin: Zhū Bǎoyù) was a Chinese bishop in the Catholic Church. He was born on July 2, 1921, and passed away on May 7, 2020. He served as the Bishop Emeritus of Nanyang.
Early Life and Priesthood
Joseph Zhu Baoyu was born in Pushan, Henan, China. When he was six years old, his father died. He then went to live in an orphanage in Jingang. At age eight, he was baptized into the Catholic Church.
He later studied to become a priest at Kaifeng Major Seminary. He learned about theology (the study of religious faith) and philosophy (the study of knowledge and existence). Joseph Zhu Baoyu became a priest in 1957.
Challenges and Leadership
In December 1981, Joseph Zhu Baoyu faced difficulties with the government. He was held for a period, possibly because he helped organize a religious trip. He was released in 1988. In 1993, he was restricted to the village of Jingang.
Joseph Zhu Baoyu was part of the "underground church." This term refers to Catholic communities in China that operate without direct government approval. On March 19, 1995, he was appointed and consecrated (made a bishop) with the approval of the Vatican. He became the Coadjutor Bishop of Nanyang.
In 2002, he became the Bishop of Nanyang, taking over from Joseph Jin Dechen. He retired from this role in 2010. A year later, in 2011, he was also recognized as a bishop by the Chinese government. At 90 years old, he explained that he accepted this to try and help the Church get back its properties. These properties had been taken during the Cultural Revolution.
Later Years and Passing
On February 3, 2020, Joseph Zhu Baoyu became ill. He was diagnosed with COVID-19. By February 14, he was reported to have recovered from the virus. At 98 years old, he was one of the oldest people to recover from COVID-19 at that time.
Joseph Zhu Baoyu passed away on May 7, 2020, in Nanyang, at the age of 98.
