Tatung, Diocese of

TATUNG, DIOCESE of. — In the northeastern part of Shansi province, in northern China.

It was erected as an apostolic prefecture on 14 March 1922 from six civil subprefectures of the apostolic vicariate of northern Shansi (v. TAIYUAN) and entrusted to the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Scheut). On 17 June 1932 it was elevated to an apostolic vicariate and on 11 April 1946, with the establishment of the episcopal hierarchy in China, to a suffragan diocese of Taiyuan.

It covers approximately 20,000 sq km. On 30 June 1947, out of a total population of approximately 1,000,000 inhabitants, there were 8,000 Catholics; 32 priests, of whom 4 belonged to the Chinese secular clergy; and 2 major seminarians. Its institutions included 3 orphanages, 5 medicine dispensaries, 1 home for the elderly, and 4 schools. The first regional seminary in China was established at T. in 1921 for the major seminarians of the missions entrusted to the religious of Scheut; and it was precisely to facilitate the foundation and operation of this pious institution that the apostolic prefecture of T. was erected and entrusted to the Scheutists.

(phot. Danday)
TATUAGGIO — Chief Mangaya with raised-relief tattooing (chelodi) of the Budja tribe, Yaundi village in the territory of Bumba (Belgian Congo).

During the persecution of the Boxers (1900), the city of T. had several martyrs, among whom the Chinese priest Yang deserves to be remembered; nevertheless, the evangelization of the territory was very limited owing to a lack of personnel. At the time of its establishment, the apostolic prefecture had only three residences, at T., Hunyuan, and Kwangling: during the first five years of its independent existence, five others were founded, namely: Tienchen, Lingkiu, Yangkao, Yulin, and Sitchaitien. In the following years missionary activity was further intensified and yielded abundant fruits. — Vedi tav. CXXX.