Joche Albert Ly
Encyclopedia
Brother Joche Albert Ly was a Chinese
Marist Brother, and was martyr
ed in Zhejiang
, China
by members of the People's Liberation Army
for denouncing Communism
.
in 1921. He went on to make his first vows in 1931, and his perpetual profession in 1935, whereupon he took the name Joche Albert. Then, from 1940 to 1944, he studied at Fu Jen Catholic University
, where he was a keen student of Chinese literature
, while in his free time he would study both French
and English
until he mastered them both.
in the makeshift university of Laiyang
. In March 1946 he fled Che Foo, and subsequently found himself permanently on the move, not only protecting himself, but also working hard, far and wide to ensure the safety and the strength of the many Catholic communities in the increasingly oppressive state. He moved to Qingdao
, then to Shanghai
, before moving to Shantung (Chinese Tibet
) and founding Ming Teh Secondary School there. But in February 1949, he returned to Shanghai, then travelled to Chongqing
, and moved again to Zhejiang, where he was assigned as the superior.
On 14 December 1950, Brother Albert was called to court together with another Marist Brother and the lay leader of the local Catholic Action
. The interview was an attempt to get these influential leaders to profess subscription to the Three Autonomies, that they may become assets in the process of winning Catholic people over to Communism. Brother Albert categorically refused, and so was incarcerated in the 6 January 1951 for conspiracy against the state.
Brother Albert maintained his hardy faith despite his circumstances. It is said that while imprisoned Brother Albert still maintained his generosity . A Protestant person released from prison told of how he shared everything he had, including his habit
. Also whilst in jail, he was still allowed to receive Holy Communion, and had indicated to his friends and supporters on the outside that he would think closely of them during the morning Angelus
. On the morning of 21 April 1951 Brother Joche-Albert Ly was executed by the PLA, together with another 24 other Christians, near the ramparts of Sichang. It is said that the bells of the Angelus were ringing as the shots rang out .
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
Marist Brother, and was martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
ed in Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
by members of the People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
for denouncing Communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
.
Early life and Brotherhood
Joche Albert was born to a Christian family, and upon baptism was given the name “Andrew”. He entered the Marist Brothers juniorate in BeijingBeijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
in 1921. He went on to make his first vows in 1931, and his perpetual profession in 1935, whereupon he took the name Joche Albert. Then, from 1940 to 1944, he studied at Fu Jen Catholic University
Fu Jen Catholic University
Fu Jen Catholic University is a co-educational Catholic university located in Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City, Republic of China...
, where he was a keen student of Chinese literature
Chinese literature
Chinese literature extends thousands of years, from the earliest recorded dynastic court archives to the mature fictional novels that arose during the Ming Dynasty to entertain the masses of literate Chinese...
, while in his free time he would study both French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
until he mastered them both.
Living under the PLA
He then moved to Che Foo, where he enjoyed teaching Science until the PLA conquered that city, forcing him to study MarxismMarxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
in the makeshift university of Laiyang
Laiyang
Laiyang city is a city between Yantai and Qingdao, located at the middle of Shandong peninsula, China. Majority of its population are farmers and it is famous for Laiyang Pear...
. In March 1946 he fled Che Foo, and subsequently found himself permanently on the move, not only protecting himself, but also working hard, far and wide to ensure the safety and the strength of the many Catholic communities in the increasingly oppressive state. He moved to Qingdao
Qingdao
' also known in the West by its postal map spelling Tsingtao, is a major city with a population of over 8.715 million in eastern Shandong province, Eastern China. Its built up area, made of 7 urban districts plus Jimo city, is home to about 4,346,000 inhabitants in 2010.It borders Yantai to the...
, then to Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, before moving to Shantung (Chinese Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
) and founding Ming Teh Secondary School there. But in February 1949, he returned to Shanghai, then travelled to Chongqing
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
, and moved again to Zhejiang, where he was assigned as the superior.
Oppression and martyrdom
Having become the Superior at Sichang, Brother Joche became a key player for the Church in the region. He often found himself the spokesperson on behalf of the diocese, making him a target as he increasingly became the public face of the Church. As the director of the Catholic College of Zhejiang, he often denounced the actions of the PLA and the teachings of Communism in general. However, after the “Liberation” of Sichang, on Passion Sunday, 26 March 1950, and his re-education with many colleagues, he found his criticism had to be less marked, although he was adamant and unashamed when it came to defending God or the faith.On 14 December 1950, Brother Albert was called to court together with another Marist Brother and the lay leader of the local Catholic Action
Catholic Action
Catholic Action was the name of many groups of lay Catholics who were attempting to encourage a Catholic influence on society.They were especially active in the nineteenth century in historically Catholic countries that fell under anti-clerical regimes such as Spain, Italy, Bavaria, France, and...
. The interview was an attempt to get these influential leaders to profess subscription to the Three Autonomies, that they may become assets in the process of winning Catholic people over to Communism. Brother Albert categorically refused, and so was incarcerated in the 6 January 1951 for conspiracy against the state.
Brother Albert maintained his hardy faith despite his circumstances. It is said that while imprisoned Brother Albert still maintained his generosity . A Protestant person released from prison told of how he shared everything he had, including his habit
Religious habit
A religious habit is a distinctive set of garments worn by members of a religious order. Traditionally some plain garb recognisable as a religious habit has also been worn by those leading the religious eremitic and anachoritic life, although in their case without conformity to a particular uniform...
. Also whilst in jail, he was still allowed to receive Holy Communion, and had indicated to his friends and supporters on the outside that he would think closely of them during the morning Angelus
Angelus
The Angelus is a Christian devotion in memory of the Incarnation. The name Angelus is derived from the opening words: Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ The Angelus (Latin for "angel") is a Christian devotion in memory of the Incarnation. The name Angelus is derived from the opening words: Angelus...
. On the morning of 21 April 1951 Brother Joche-Albert Ly was executed by the PLA, together with another 24 other Christians, near the ramparts of Sichang. It is said that the bells of the Angelus were ringing as the shots rang out .