Posted on 03/15/2013 8:02:21 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
George Weigel notes in his book Evangelical Catholicism that the popes of this era have more control over the episcopate than ever before. Whereas entanglements with monarchies in the past limited the power of the Holy See to appoint bishops as it wished, the pontiff now selects bishops freely in every nation but two: China and Vietnam. Yesterday, Beijing wasted no time in explaining to the newly-elected Pope Francis just who’s boss, either:
China congratulated Pope Francis on Thursday on his ascension to the papacy, but also warned the Vatican not to interfere in what China deems to be its internal affairs.
The reaction underscored the tensions between the Vatican and China’s government, which has been accused of suppressing Catholicism under Communist rule.
Hua Chunying, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said that Beijing hoped the pope, who was elected on Wednesday, would work with Chinese officials on improving relations. But, she said, the Vatican “must stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, including in the name of religion.”
No sooner did China tell the Vatican not to interfere with its internal governance than it began dictating the Vatican’s relationships:
She also said the Vatican must sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan before ties with Beijing improve. China considers Taiwan a renegade province that is part of its territory.
The Vatican, however, has resisted cutting ties to Taiwan and wants China to give assurances on granting religious freedom to China’s Catholics.
I’d presume that the new Pope will take that advice with as much seriousness as his predecessors. “Improving” ties with Beijing means, in this case, that they’ll be friendlier when they dictate episcopal choices to the Holy See. Simply put, no matter how the Vatican treats Taiwan, China is not about to let the Catholic Church challenge the state religion of Communism above all things temporal and spiritual.
If the Vatican withdrew recognition from Taiwan, China would still insist on interference on episcopal appointments in order to ensure that bishops don’t challenge the political and economic status quo, especially in regard to their one-child policy. The last thing Beijing would allow is a unified Catholic population of 12 million to start agitating about forced abortions and interference with God’s plan for marriage and family.
Pope Francis to China: “We’ll be praying for you, regardless”!
Dear China,
At some point you will be chastised for turning your back on God.
A specter is haunting Europe—the specter of communism. All the powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this specter: Pope and Tsar, Metternich and Guizot, French Radicals and German police-spies. Where is the party in opposition that has not been decried as communistic by its opponents in power? Where is the opposition that has not hurled back the branding reproach of communism, against the more advanced opposition parties, as well as against its reactionary adversaries? …So now “Old Europe” is suddenly the resurrected bogeyman of the commies.
The only reason the ChingchongChicoms are fat mouthing the Holy Father is their mortal fear of the Christians in their midst. They are also much emboldened by the presence of a mincing muzzie poofter in the White Hut.
The Chinese are becoming Christian in far greater numbers than the party would be comfortable with. Eventually there will be a reorderong in China, and the Church may get freedom soon.
Wow! I didn't know that and I'm impressed. This puts the Vatican into a fairly select group of less than a dozen soverignties who recognize Taiwan.
Can anyone name the others? Mostly tiny Pacific Island nations, I beleive.
Yep, and not only that the Pope has his own bishops and archbishops in China. Appointed by him, not by China.
“Church may get freedom soon.”
Or completely wiped out. 12 million disappeared would be
nothing. Who could stop it. Obama and the MSM would cheer
it on if they said anything at all about it. Those 12 million
Catholics are hostages (bargaining chips). Like Obama,
communist have no value on human life. The people only
exist for the benefit of the government and it’s rulers.
12 million out of 3 billion is but a small sacrifice to
ensure the continuation of government and now days thats
any government. Even our own.
We are China and we are so powerful that we are afraid.
Interesting, that's how I read that too.
5.56mm
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