TIEN-KEN-SIN, S.V.D., Thomas (1890-1967)

Birth. October 24, 1890, Chantsui, apostolic vicariate of Yangku, China.

Baptized in 1901.

Education. Seminary of Yenchowfu, Yenchowfu.

Priesthood. Ordained, June 9, 1918, Yenchowfu.

Joined the Society of Divine Word, March 8, 1929, Steye, Holland; first vows, February 2, 1931; final vows, March 7, 1935.

Pastoral work in Mission of Yangku, 1918-1939.

Prefect apostolic of Yangku, February 2, 1934.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Ruspe and appointed apostolic vicar of Yangku, July 11, 1939.

Consecrated, October 29, 1939, Rome, by Pius XII.

Apostolic vicar of Tsin-tao, November 10, 1942.

Cardinal. Created cardinal priest, February 18, 1946; received red hat and title of S. Maria in Via, February 22, 1946.

Promoted to metropoliton see of Peiping, April 11, 1946.

Expelled from China by Communist regime, 1951.

Participated in conclave of 1958.

Apostolic administrator of Taipeh, Formosa, December 16, 1959 until 1966.

Attended II Vatican Council, 1962-1965.

Participated in conclave of 1963

Death. July 24, 1967, Taipeh. Buried in metropolitan cathedral, Taipeh.