APPIANI, LUIGI ANTONIO. - Missionary of the Lazarists, b. at Dogliani (Cuneo) in 1663, d. at Canton in 1732. Having already been ordained a priest, he entered the Congregation of the Mission in 1687. He was appointed professor at the house in Rome and spiritual director at the College of Propaganda. Reduced by illness to the point of death, he made a vow to go on mission, and, having recovered, he went to China with 32 religious and two secular priests. From Propaganda he received the task of founding a seminary for the native clergy (1697). He began his ministry in the vicariate of Szechwan, and in 1705 he was chosen as interpreter by Msgr. de Tournon, the papal legate and his relative, who was to deal with the difficult question of the Chinese Rites. Soon after (1706) he was arrested and remained in harsh imprisonment for about twenty years. The reason for his capture seems to be sought in the aversion of the Chinese authorities to the Pope’s stance on the question of the Rites. Clement XI addressed a brief to the prisoner (1711) praising his fidelity and fortitude and naming him Apostolic Protonotary. The Pope also offered him the episcopate, which A. refused, asking instead that it be given to his confrere Müller. The same Pope sought clemency for him from the emperor, who refused; Benedict XIII renewed the request, and A. was released (1726). He continued to work diligently in Canton until his death.
