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Chinese Bishops Want Vatican Approval
CWN via Catholic Exchange ^
| March 25, 2006
| Staff
Posted on 03/26/2006 5:26:55 AM PST by siunevada
Despite heavy pressure from the Beijing government, new bishops of the "official" Church in China want to be in full communion with the Holy See, Cardinal Joseph Zen told reporters in Rome on March 24.
After receiving his red hat from Pope Benedict XVI at a morning consistory, Cardinal Zen spoke to the Italian RAI television network about conditions facing the Church in China. Although the government-controlled "Catholic Patriotic Association" claims the authority to appoint bishops, he said, the bishops "will not agree to be ordained without permission" from Rome-- although the government usually will not allow them to acknowledge the Vatican approval.
The new cardinal said that the bishops' ties to Rome are a source of growing concern for the Chinese Communist leadership. The Beijing government regards the Pope's authority to appoint bishops as an unacceptable "interference" in domestic affairs.
Although Chinese Catholics wish to be loyal to the Holy See, priests and bishops of the "official" Church are obligated to swear their allegiance to the government, the cardinal reported. "There is such control, the situation is incomprehensible for those outside China," he said.
In an earlier interview with a Hong Kong television station, Cardinal Zen had confirmed that the Vatican is hoping to improve relations with the Chinese government. "The Vatican could make concessions" regarding the nomination of bishops, he observed, allowing government officials to give their opinion on nominations; but the Church is not ready to surrender the Pope's final authority on episcopal appointments.
The "official" Catholic Church in China functions openly, under the legal control of the Patriotic Association. The "underground" Church, whose leaders refuse to accept the authority of government overseers, functions outside the law, subject to regular harassment. But the lines between the two Catholic groups are not always clearly drawn. Most bishops of the "official" Church are now recognized by the Vatican-- in several cases, quite openly-- and the Holy See insists that there is only one Catholic Church in China.
Since the start of his pontificate, Benedict XVI has made diplomatic gestures to China, hoping for an improvement in relations. Cardinal Zen has said that he hopes his new status as a cardinal will make it easier for him to act as an intermediary with Chinese government officials, paving the way for a restoration of the diplomatic relations that were broken off in 1951 after the establishment of the Communist regime in China.
(This article courtesy of Catholic World News. To subscribe or for further information, contact subs@cwnews.com or visit www.cwnews.com.)
TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: catholic; china
1
posted on
03/26/2006 5:26:58 AM PST
by
siunevada
To: siunevada
"new bishops of the "official" Church in China"
What were the saints of old prior to the official Church?
To: siunevada; american colleen; Lady In Blue; Salvation; narses; SMEDLEYBUTLER; redhead; ...
Most bishops of the "official" Church are now recognized by the Vatican-- in several cases, quite openly-- and the Holy See insists that there is only one Catholic Church in China. Since the start of his pontificate, Benedict XVI has made diplomatic gestures to China, hoping for an improvement in relations. Cardinal Zen has said that he hopes his new status as a cardinal will make it easier for him to act as an intermediary with Chinese government officials, paving the way for a restoration of the diplomatic relations that were broken off in 1951 after the establishment of the Communist regime in China.
AFP - Sat Mar 25, 2:37 PM ET Pope Benedict XVI gives his cardinal ring to newly appointed Joseph Zen of Hong Kong on St Peter square, in Vatican. The Pope celebrated mass in St Peter's Square with 15 new cardinals closing ceremonies for the first consistory of his pontificate.(AFP/Alberto Pizzoli)
3
posted on
03/26/2006 3:38:19 PM PST
by
NYer
(Discover the beauty of the Eastern Catholic Churches - freepmail me for more information.)
To: siunevada
**new bishops of the "official" Church in China want to be in full communion with the Holy See, Cardinal Joseph Zen told reporters in Rome on March 24.**
I don't think this will happen, because the official church for the Chinese is different than the official church for the Vatican.
The REAL Catholic Church in China is all underground since Catholics are currently being persecuted and killed there.
4
posted on
03/26/2006 4:10:27 PM PST
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: siunevada
5
posted on
03/26/2006 4:13:21 PM PST
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: Salvation
I don't think this will happen, because the official church for the Chinese is different than the official church for the Vatican.I always wonder about his statements. How much is hope and how much is fact?
If this is true, it is significant: the bishops "will not agree to be ordained without permission" from Rome-- although the government usually will not allow them to acknowledge the Vatican approval.
6
posted on
03/26/2006 4:22:01 PM PST
by
siunevada
(If we learn nothing from history, what's the point of having one? - Peggy Hill)
To: siunevada
I have a feeling that the REAL bishops and priests in China are walking a high tightrope!
Prayers for all of them.
7
posted on
03/26/2006 4:34:03 PM PST
by
Salvation
(†With God all things are possible.†)
To: John 6.66=Mark of the Beast?
What do you mean, "prior to the official church." Do youmean the many, many uncanonized saints? Or do you mean Old Testament?
8
posted on
03/26/2006 6:09:37 PM PST
by
Mrs. Don-o
(As always, striving for accuracy.)
To: siunevada; NYer
This link from "Angry Twins" Chinese Catholic blog, explains a bit about the Chinese underground
http://angrytwins.blogspot.com/2005/03/glimpse-into-underground-church.html
The Chinese are very intelligent indeed. Some must be taking the lessons of history very seriously. I'll wager that some in the CCP have calculated that it's not worth fighting what God creates.
There's a plethora of state-sponsored persecution throughout history even before Jesus instituted the Catholic Church. Jewish kings had tried to desecrate Faith and they failed, too.
Perhaps there'll be a renewed interest in Emperor Constantine and other defenders of the Faith. In spite of human history trying to "talk" (coercion) people from abandoning God, there have been other noteworthy champions that have upheld and defended the authority of the Church...even if grudgingly so. More success has been gained by temporal leaders who've supported the mission of the Church to bring souls to Jesus then by those tyrants who've tried to undermine, politicize, and/or maliciously and overtly persecute the Apostolic Faith.
9
posted on
03/27/2006 4:24:37 AM PST
by
SaltyJoe
(A mother's sorrowful heart and personal sacrifice redeems her lost child's soul.)
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