Posted on 03/10/2006 6:32:51 PM PST by blam
'Revolution' fears over Hong Kong cardinal
By Richard Spencer in Beijing
(Filed: 11/03/2006)
The ''official'' Catholic Church in Beijing has accused Hong Kong's newly-appointed cardinal of trying to do to China what the late Pope did to Poland.
"Why would you appoint someone who doesn't support communism as a cardinal?" said Liu Bainian, the vice-chairman of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, in a direct attack on Cardinal Joseph Zen. "Is it like Poland? Didn't the Church play a big role in Poland?"
Mr Liu, whose organisation controls all of China's state-sanctioned Catholic churches, was speaking on Hong Kong radio after a two-day exchange between the two men.
Cardinal Zen, who was born in Shanghai, has become a leading spokesman for the democratic cause in Hong Kong.
China's leadership is conducting an open war against any activity that hints of the "revolutions" that have swept former Soviet states in the past three years. It is also aware of the part Pope John Paul played in the opposition to communism in his Polish homeland.
On Tuesday, the foreign minister, Li Zhaoxing, repeated the warning issued by the government on Cardinal Zen's appointment, telling him to avoid "mixing politics and religion". On Wednesday, Mr Liu went further, saying that the Chinese thought the appointment showed the Vatican was openly challenging Beijing.
"If China's bishops were all like him then it would be dangerous like Poland," he said. "Bishop Zen is widely known as an opponent of communism."
Cardinal Zen himself has spoken of improving relations between the Vatican and Beijing. But he responded sharply to Mr Liu's interview, issuing a formal statement denying his charges.
Why is china afraid of christ? Makes one wonder.
China is a Buhdist Country, Its like going into an Islamic Country and trying to spread Christianity to the locals.
Yea thats it.
Gee, the fact that Communists are atheist may have something to do with it, donchathink?
Because devotion to anything but the revolution and Communism infuriates communists.
"Why would you appoint someone who doesn't support communism as a cardinal?" said Liu Bainian, the vice-chairman of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, in a direct attack on Cardinal Joseph Zen. "Is it like Poland? Didn't the Church play a big role in Poland?"
Mr Liu, whose organisation controls all of China's state-sanctioned Catholic churches, was speaking on Hong Kong radio after a two-day exchange between the two men.
Looks like there's a higher higher power in China
Actually, Buddhism was never a majority religion in China, although it has long been an important religion there.
It's not Buddhism that's behind this. It's simply fear on the part of the Communist Party oligarchs of precisely what this article says: that there might be a Polish-style revolution against their corrupt and tyrannical leadership.
There can only be one power in a Communist state. That's why Falun Gong could not be tolerated. And that's why a free Catholic Church cannot be tolerated. The Patriotic Church is OK, because all the bishops are communist stooges. The Buddhists are OK, because most of them are also willing to be subordinated to the State. But they are very fearful of Christians, and with good reason, because tyrannical totalitarian rule is not compatible with the Christian way of thinking.
Only thing Chinese worship is money, and I am married to one
Lost tribe of Israel?
On my first trip to China, the first thought that struck me was (literally): " My God, I've never seen so many natural born capitalists in my life. " Then again, this was tempered with the adjunct: Caveat Emptor.
Just what is that supposed to mean?
"Why would you appoint someone who doesn't support communism as a cardinal?"
Because Mr. Liu, Catholicism and Communism are incompatible.
Funny thing (actually NOT, sad really) when I went to China on business, I asked my diocese if I should seek to go to Mass in the underground Catholic Church in China. They said no, too dangerous for me and for the underground Catholics. Go to Mass at the Patriotic Church because many of the priests and bishops are recognized by the Vatican.
The situation in China will not stand for long. That's why Mr.Liu is sweating.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.