3 - The Role of Christianity in the Sino-Japanese Trade of the Philippines (16th–17th Centuries)

After a series of unsuccessful expeditions to Southeast Asia from the beginning of the 16th century, the Spanish (Castilians) were finally able to settle in the Philippines in 1565 and contribute to the evangelisation of the region with new missionary forces belonging to the mendicant orders (Augustinians, Franciscans, Dominicans). Impatient to spread the Gospel outside the Philippines, the Spanish friars established strong ties of interest with the Sino-Japanese traders who sailed to Manila, and through their good services they eventually reached south China, Japan, Siam, and Vietnam. Many of these traders, some of whom were smugglers or even former pirates, converted to Christianity and became a solid support for the activities of the missionaries. However, their profession of faith served a practical purpose mostly related to the benefits of trade.

This paper will examine the role of Christianity in the Sino-Japanese trade in Manila and around the Philippines during the long 16th century shedding some new light on the connivance between God and Mammon in the building of the Christian ecumene in Asia.