Zhang Bairen

▪ 2006

      Chinese Roman Catholic cleric (b. Feb. 14, 1915, Zhangjiatai, Hubei province, China—d. Oct. 12, 2005, Beijing, China), was an influential leader of the Catholic community in China. Not formally recognized by Chinese authorities, he served as “unofficial” bishop of Hanyang diocese from 1986 until his death. Zhang was ordained in 1942. He refused to renounce his loyalty to the pope following the communist takeover of 1949 and eventually spent nearly a quarter of a century, from 1955 to 1979, in labour camps. In later years Zhang was credited with helping to improve relations between the government-controlled Catholic Patriotic Association (CPA) and the unofficial church. Both CPA and underground clergy members attended his funeral, which authorities permitted to be a public service.

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