1900 - Joachim Li Fu

August 1900

Taiyuan, Shanxi

Joachim Li Fu was born of noble Catholic parents on August 4, 1836. Like many wealthy families at the time, the Lis encouraged Joachim to pursue a career in the military. Over the course of many years he proved himself an outstanding leader and rose to the rank of Colonel. One observer noted,

“It is easy to understand how difficult it must have been for a Christian like Joachim to preserve a fervent religious spirit surrounded by the chilling atmosphere of the pagan barrack and camp. Still throughout his whole military career he succeeded in living an intensely pious and upright life. When on duty, of course, he had little opportunity for the external practice of religion; but while on leave he made ample compensation for this culpable neglect by devoting himself almost entirely to prayer.”[1]

After many years of outstanding service, Li tendered his resignation after his position increasingly improved incompatible with his profession of faith. He accepted a new role as a mediator between the Franciscan clergy and the civil authorities in Shanxi. Li was so well known and respected in Taiyuan that when the Boxer persecution broke he was left alone. About a week after the massacre of the missionaries on July 9th, Li was brought before the court and told to divulge the whereabouts of the missionaries’ treasures and the title deed of the mission property. When he said he knew nothing about such matters, the judge replied, “Well, at any rate, you must apostatise.” Li courteously replied that he could not obey the judge in religious matters, and after threats failed to move the elderly Christian, he was bound and taken to the prison.

Governor Yu Xian was asked what should be done about Colonel Li because of his high military rank. The governor wanted to put him to death immediately, and sought to secure Li’s conviction on a charge of high treason. Gunpowder found in Li’s home was cited as evidence that he was planning a rebellion. Li explained that the gunpowder was part of an allowance he was entitled to keep as a military officer, and that he had nothing to do with any anti-government activity. When it was explained that Li would have to “abandon the foreign religion,” Li boldly answered, “That I will never do, because it is the only true religion.”

Li was taken back to prison while the authorities decided what to do with him. During the next few weeks many of his friends visited and tried to make him deny Christ and win his freedom. One man even threatened to commit suicide if Li continued in his stubborn stand. “Have sense, my good man, I will not deny my religion even at the cost of my life,”[2] was all the sympathy the misguided friend received. The next day Li was moved to another section of the prison to await execution. As he left his fellow Christian prisoners, he exhorted them:

“Think well on the sorrows of Jesus…. Stand firm against those who will try to rob you of your faith. Torture is only a trifling thing compared to the pains of hell. If they come to put you to death, lift your pigtails high off your necks so that they can cut your heads off the more easily. It will be over in a moment and paradise will be yours.”[3]

A short time later the official executioner was summoned, but one of the soldiers intervened, shouting, “This man is a soldier and must die by a soldier’s hand.” With that he rushed at Joachim Li Fu “as he knelt in prayer and struck him with his sword. The blow only wounded the kneeling man, but the rest of the guards joined in the butchery. In a few minutes the grim tragedy was completed.”[4] The martyr’s head was hung on the Taiyuan City gates for four months. His son was granted permission to take it down and bury it with the corpse. The Empress of China later declared that the 64-year-old Li had been unjustly put to death.

1. Ricci, Chinese Martyrs of 1900, 19.
2. Ricci, Chinese Martyrs of 1900, 21.
3. Ricci, Chinese Martyrs of 1900, 22.
4. Ricci, Chinese Martyrs of 1900, 23.