十四世紀羅馬教會與托缽修會的遠東網絡－基於教宗文書的初步研究

Networks of the Roman Church and the Mendicant Orders in the Far East during the 14^(th) Century: A Preliminary Study of Papal Documents

李文丹(LI Wendan)

《道風：基督教文化評論》 Issue 64 (2026/01) Pp. 113-139

Abstracts

本文基於十四世紀羅馬教宗發往遠東的文書，探討中世紀羅馬教會與托缽修會協力構建的遠東天主教網絡。在此前研究中被忽視的教宗「蒙古文書」不僅記錄了天主教活動的制度化進程，更是羅馬教會行政管理的重要手段。本文通過文獻學方法梳理教宗「蒙古文書」的性質與流傳，歸納其內容的延續與增補，並從制度史和結構史視角分析中世紀遠東天主教網絡的特徵及影響。本研究認為，中世紀天主教的遠東網絡呈現分散式結構，地方教會在保持與羅馬教會統一的同時享有高度自治；其形成依托於羅馬教會與托缽修會在歐洲建立的跨區域合作關係，並在早期全球化中發揮了重要作用。

Keywords

十四世紀 ； 教宗「蒙古文書」 ； 羅馬教會 ； 托缽修會 ； 遠東

Parallel abstracts

This article investigates the Catholic network established in the Far East, in the 14^(th)-century, by the Roman Church in collaboration with the mendicant orders, with particular attention to the often-overlooked papal "Mongol documents." These documents not only attest to the institutionalization of Catholic activities in the region, but also served as vital administrative instruments of the papacy. Through philological analysis, this study examines their nature and transmission, traces textual continuities and later additions, and situates them within the broader institutional and structural dimensions of the medieval Catholic network in the Far East. The findings suggest that this Catholic network operated in a decentralized manner: local churches maintained unity with Rome while exercising considerable autonomy. Built upon the cross-regional collaborations first forged in Europe between the Roman Church and the mendicant orders, this network contributed significantly to the early globalization.

Parallel keywords

14^(th) Century ； Papal "Mongol Documents" ； Roman Church ； Mendicant Orders ； Far East