Builder of a church

In 1955 Father Arthur Albert Baur, SJ came to Cebu as parish priest of the Chinese. He was a native of Alsace, which was German territory when he was born but after World War I returned to France. He had been a missionary in China and had spent one year in a communist prison.

During the 22 years that he remained in Cebu, he built the Sacred Heart Church (one of the most beautiful in Cebu) and the adjoining rectory and parish hall. He also changed the name of the parish from "Our Lady of China" to "Sacred Heart of Jesus" Parish.

Reassigned to Iloilo where he was to spend 19 years, he enlarged the Santa Maria Parish Church. After a serious accident he limited his pastoral duties to hearing confessions in the church several hours a day, and people from all the provinces of Panay Island came to confession there.

Back to Cebu and confined to his wheel chair, he still hears confessions in the church that he had built nearly half a century ago.

Looking back on his early years, he treasures the words that his mother said to him when he told her he was being assigned for life to China as a missionary. She said, "As long as you have not given God everything, you have given him nothing."

The present parish priest Father Ramon Mores, SJ organized a big celebration for him on his 90th birthday. The main celebrant at Mass was Bishop John Du of Dumaguete, who had known Father Baur in Cebu. The sermon was delivered by Father Ernesto Javier, S.J., Director of Sacred Heart School in Cebu, formerly President of Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan.

Father Baur has built not only a material church made of concrete and tile and glass. Although he was not the founder of the Chinese parish in Cebu (that honor belongs to a Mexican Jesuit, Father Miguel Pardices) Father Baur did much during his 22 years to give shape and vitality to the Chinese Catholic Community.

Cardinal Vidal sent a message that said it all: "The 90th birthday of Father Arthur Baur is truly deserving of a celebration."