Augustine Cheng, Augustinian Recollect seminarian, qualified witness of the faith

Augustine Cheng was born between 1928 and 1930 in Pa-Li-Choang, in a Christian family. From a young age, he received a Christian education at home and attended the Mission school, where he actively participated in religious life, attending daily mass and praying the rosary. At the age of 11 or 12, with the permission of his family, he entered the Kweiteh/Shangqiu Seminary in 1941.

At the seminary, Augustine studied Latin and continued his primary education. He remained in Kweiteh until the summer of 1948, when he moved to the Major Seminary of Kaifeng with his companion José Li to study philosophy and theology. He maintained contact with the bishop of the Diocese of Kweiteh, the Augustinian Recollect Arturo Quintanilla, and, after the latter left China in 1952, he continued his correspondence with the vicar general, Father José Shan, and Father Pedro Kuo in Shanghai.

In September 1955, Augustine traveled to Shanghai to receive medical care but was surprised by Father Pedro Kuo’s arrest and the police’s occupation of the house. He was interrogated for three days, and although he could not see Father Francisco Sanz directly, he managed to communicate with the latter through an open door between two rooms. Thus, he confessed and received advice on questions about the seminary, himself, and the future. Father Francis took the opportunity to encourage him in his future life.

Augustine returned to the seminary in Kai-feng, but was arrested on arrival and sentenced to prison, where he died.

Augustine’s conviction was due to his trip to Shanghai and his correspondence with Father Pedro Kuo, who was considered an anti-communist. Augustine was seen to be involved in the same activities and, because he refused to collaborate with the national church, was considered a martyr for his fidelity to the Church and the Pope.