Prosper Bernard
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Prosper Bernard, S. J. 1902-1943 (Na Shi Rong)
Father Prosper Bernard, S.J., was born in Canada on May 25, 1902. In 1935 he became a Jesuit of the Roman Catholic Church. He left for China in January 1938, a week after Dr. Norman Bethune, the famous Canadian medical doctor. In China he took the name of Na Shi Rong. At that time Japan was occupying part of China.
On December 8, 1941, he was still director of the school and priest in Taolu when Canada, the United States, and England declared war on Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was immediately arrested and brought to Fengxian 10 km away and put “in house arrest” in the church compound with two other Canadian priests.
They continued to operate a school from inside the church compound in Fengxian. This was not liked by the Japanese. On March 18, 1943, the three priests were executed by a Japanese officer. In 1990, the people of Fengxian erected a monument to the memory of the three Canadian Priests.
[edit] References
- Bernard, Prosper & Bernard Prosper Jr.. (2000). De l’autre coté de la terre: La Chine. Montréal, Qc. Sciences & Culture. 380 pp, [ISBN 2-89092-4]
- Bernard, Prosper & Bernard P. (2001). In China forever. Montréal, Qc. Sciences & Culture, and Sarasota, Florida, University Consortium of the Americas, 336 pp, [ISBN USA 0-9709309-0-9 , ISBN Canada: 2-89092-284-7].
- Bernard, Prosper (2006). Why China?. Fidal Asia. ISBN=2-922636-16-X. 166 pages.
- Bernard, Prosper (2007). Chinese Obsession. Fidal Asia isbn: 2-92263620-8
