By ucanews.com reporter, Hong Kong

Jesuit Father Robert Ng at the Ignatian Symposium

The printed word still has a key role to play in spreading the message of Christ, even in the Internet age, a Jesuit has told a symposium marking the 400th death anniversary of Father Matteo Ricci.

People tend to use simple language in modern communications technology, but for evangelization “written words still have a good future as we need fine literature to express our faith,” Jesuit Father Robert Ng said.

The Dec. 2-5 symposium, focusing on the Italian Jesuit and his pioneering mission to China, attracted some 300 participants from more than 10 countries and regions.

“The Ricci Legacy: Finding God in Cultures,” was held at Noah’s Ark, a Christian-run theme park.

Father Ng gave the keynote speech on Father Ricci’s groundbreaking role in textual evangelization.

Citing Father Ricci’s classical Chinese writings, Father Ng said no foreign missionaries before him had mastered the Chinese language and culture so well. As a result Father Ricci attracted the attention and appreciation of Chinese mandarins.

Ricci’s numerous writings helped the Christian faith to spread even after foreign missionaries died or were expelled from the country. Even contemporary missionaries who are aided by advanced technology can hardly surpass him, said Father Ng, editor of Spirit, a quarterly review for Catholic theology and spirituality in Hong Kong.

A participant asked Father Ng’s view on the role of Chinese classical literature in today’s evangelization.

Though the younger generation seldom read the Chinese classics nowadays, the human nature and morality that they discuss can lead people to “go back to our hearts to find God’s will,” he said.

The symposium was organized by the Jesuit-run Xavier House – Ignatian Spirituality Centre. It included talks and workshops, which enabled the participants to share experience and discuss on Ignatian spirituality.