Cardinal Celso Costantini
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Celso Benigno Luigi Cardinal Costantini (3 April 1876 – 17 October 1958) was the first delegation of the Holy See in China, appointed by Pope Pius XI in 1922 and founder of Congregatio Discipulorum Domini. He was ordained a priest in 26 December 1899 and later was consecrated as a Bishop in Fiume, Italy.
He contributed much to China during his eleven years of service there. The following are his major contributions:
- He called for the first national bishops' conference in Shanghai in 1924.
- He made constitutions for the mission in China.
- He helped the promotion of six Chinese priests as bishops.
- He instituted several regional major seminaries.
- He helped the foundation of the Fu-Jen Catholic University and its development.
- He instituted a Chinese college in Rome.
- He insisted minor seminaries should adopt the educational system of high schools.
- Finally he founded the Congregatio Discipulorum Domini (Congregation of the Disciples of the Lord) in China.
After he had come back to Italy, he was assigned by Pope as the Secretary of the Congregation of Propagation of the Faith on 17 December 1935, and was promoted a Cardinal in 1953.
| Preceded by N/A |
Nunciature to China 1922 - 1935 |
Succeeded by Mario Zanin |
