Persecution of the Church in China

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rcesq	Persecution of the Church in China		Lead	[-]
Member Posts: 1780 09/16/06 01:23:41 Moderator	Tags : None Cardinal Bertone and Archbishop Mamberti have a lot on their plates from day one on the job. Not only are there wrathful Muslims to contend with, but the persecution of Catholic clergy in China continues also. Here are two stories about the arrest yesterday of a Vatican-approved Chinese bishop. I've included links and quotes from a site I just found, the Congressional Executive Commision on China, which monitors such issues as religious freedom in China for the U.S. Congress. For those who have an interest in China and this subject, it is a valuable resource. I decided to start a separate thread on this topic because, besides wanting to reconcile the Western and Eastern Catholic Churches, reviving the faith in Europe, and making overtures to Islam, Pope Benedict seems particularly interested in the incredible thirst for religious freedom amongst the Chinese people and the need to spread the Gospel in that still politically downtrodden land. Amidst the staggering economic growth in China there is equally staggering poverty of all kinds -- especially spiritual. Communist rule tried to wipe out millennia of Chinese systems of belief to replace it with Maoism, cults of personality and hollow atheism. Some sharp exchanges have already occurred between Benedict and Beijing. Future developments bear watching. From Catholic News Agency *Quote:* Chinese officials take away young bishop Hong Kong, Sep. 15, 2006 (CNA) A young Chinese bishop, whose episcopal ordination was approved by the Vatican but not recognized by the government, was taken away by plainclothes officers who broke into the cathedral compound. . . . Bishop Joseph Wu Qinjing of Zhouzhi was taken away Sept. 11 at 10:15 p.m. from Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral. His whereabouts remain unknown. About 20 officers entered the compound and made their way to the room of the 38-year-old bishop. They knocked on his door without disclosing their identity. . . . . Onlookers and others living on the cathedral compound saw two of the officers grab the bishop's shoulders while a third officer slapped him. * * * * Officials have already taken Bishop Wu away a few times since May, for questioning and to attend learning classes on the "Religious Affairs Regulations" that took effect last year. _________________________________ From Asia News *Quote:* 14 September, 2006 CHINA VATICAN Zhouzhi bishop arrested; he defied government for love of the Pope Zhouzhi (AsiaNews) Police from the northern Shaanxi province arrested the bishop of Zhouzhi, Mgr Martin Wu Qinjing, on 11 September. In order to avoid compromising his faith and loyalty to the Pope, he had celebrated solemn mass despite government threats. The news was revealed to AsiaNews by a local source that remains anonymous for security reasons. At 10pm on 11 September, around 30 policemen drew up in four armoured cars outside the largest parish of the diocese. Finding the doors closed, they scaled the wall and woke the bishop. Behaving violently, the officers pushed away an elderly 80-year-old priest, four seminarians and four sisters who tried to stop them. As soon as they reached the bishop, they threatened and arrested him, without making any charges against him. He was taken away to an unknown location. It is unclear whether the sisters were arrested too. Mgr Wu is a bishop of the official church. He was ordained in October 2005 by the deceased archbishop of Xian, Mgr Anthony Li Duan. * * * * His ordination was finally made public on 22 May last. On 25 May, Mgr Li Duan died and two days later, defying government threats, Mgr Wu celebrated mass in Zhouzhi cathedral: he was not wearing Episcopal vestments but he wore a red beret on his head and carried a pastoral ring on his finger. * * * * [The local source said:] Our bishop would like to give the government the necessary time to recognize him, but at the same time he is firm in his resolve not to stoop to compromises with the Catholic faith and loyalty with the Pope. The diocese of Zhouzhi counts 60,000 Catholics, 54 priests, 200 churches, 120 seminarians 208 sisters. The source added: This conduct is worthy of terrorists and brings tears to the eyes of all those who love peace. We call on everyone to pray for our bishop so that he may return quickly, safe and sound. ___________________________ This is the description in the Congressional Executive Commision on China report about Bishop Wu: *Quote:* On May 27, CPA officials announced their refusal to recognize a bishop who was consecrated without their approval, and forbade him to act as a bishop. On May 22, Li Duan, the registered bishop of Xian diocese in Shaanxi province, who was known for his open loyalty to the Holy See, announced that in October 2005 he secretly consecrated Wu Qinjing as bishop of neighboring Zhouzhi diocese, also in Shaanxi, according to a May 26 South China Morning Post (SCMP) article (subscription required). Bishop Li died on May 25. Government officials warned Wu between May 22 and May 27 that they considered his consecration illegal and that he could not act as a bishop. On May 27, CPA officials met with Zhouzhi priests, announced the illegality of Wus consecration, and pressed for Wu to be displaced by a diocesan management group headed by Zhao Yinsheng, a registered priest. Defying the official warnings, Bishop Wu presided at a ceremony to mark the erection of a new cross in the Zhouzhi cathedral, according to May 29 SCMP, Reuters, and AsiaNews reports. This is the description of the CECC's purposes given on its website: *Quote:* The Congressional-Executive Commission on China was created by Congress in October 2000 with the legislative mandate to monitor human rights and the development of the rule of law in China, and to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. It consists of nine Senators, nine members of the House of Representatives, and five senior Administration officials appointed by the President. The current Chair is Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Nebraska), and the Co-Chair is Congressman Jim Leach (R-Iowa) The CECC presents this analysis of the reasons behind the confrontation between the Chinese government and the Holy See on the issue of episcopal ordinations: *Quote:* A leading Catholic expert on Catholicism in China interpreted the Chinese governments recent actions as a response to Pope Benedict's March 2006 elevation of Bishop Joseph Zen of Hong Kong to the College of Cardinals, according to a May 11 UCAN report. Cardinal Zen at the March 2006 consistory of cardinals (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri) *Quote:* Cardinal Zen has been an outspoken advocate of religious freedom, human rights, and democracy. The Chinese government may also have decided to break a deadlock with the Holy See over appointment of bishops and to consolidate its control over the Chinese Catholic Church before beginning new negotiations with the Holy See, according to the expert. * * * * Pope Benedict has shown little inclination to mute his call for religious freedom in China, according to a May 8 L'espresso article. The Chinese government founded the CPA in the 1950s to create a national Catholic Church independent of the Holy See, and since its founding the CPA has asserted that it has the right to consecrate bishops without the Holy Sees approval. Throughout the world, the Holy See reserves to itself the right to select candidates for consecration as bishops. Since the 1950s, two Catholic communities have existed in China: a registered community that accepts the CPAs supervision and control, and an unregistered community repressed by the government for its refusal to do so. The Holy See has sought since the 1990s to promote the unification of the two communities by legitimizing the consecration of many CPA-registered bishops. * * * * The Holy See views the issue of its authority to select bishops as particularly important today, since many Catholic bishops are elderly, a number have died since 2000, and their successors have not yet been selected and consecrated . . . . According to Canon 1382 of the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, a bishop who administers or accepts consecration as bishop without the approval of the Holy See incurs excommunication. Some canon law experts have claimed that, because of the CPA pressure, Canon 1382 may not apply to the Chinese bishops consecrated without Holy See approval . . . . CECC on Catholic Church in China
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rcesq	Re: Release of Bishop Wu	#1	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 1780 09/22/06 02:26:32 Moderator	From Asia News *Quote:* Zhouzhi (AsiaNews/UCAN) Mgr Wu Qinjing, ordained bishop of Zhouzhi without government approval, was released last Sunday and is now resting in a hospital where he was taken because of a slight brain concussion, possibly the result of maltreatment when in custody according to some observers. An anonymous source close to the 38-year-old man said that before his release, Bishop Wu was forced to admit in writing that his Episcopal ordination, celebrated by the late Mgr Li Duan, archbishop of Xian, was illegal. Specifically, he had to write that he was ordained without an election and that his management of the diocese and his presiding over Church activities as a bishop violated the Chinas religious affairs regulations. He further had to promise not to wear a mitre or bishop's vestments. * * * * Remember, this is the bishop whose ordination was approved by the Holy See. One has to wonder what happened in the past five days to make Bishop Wu make the statement that is given here -- if he made it. Situations such as this are usually so full of intentional misinformation, distortion and sometimes wishful thinking on the part of the reporters and their sources that it is frequently difficult to discern the truth.
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rcesq	Re: Persecution of the Church in China	#2	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 1780 09/22/06 16:03:13 Moderator	On September 15, 2006, the United States Department of State issued its annual International Religious Freedom Report, which is quite an eye opener. I am going to post only some pertinent excerpts about the treatment of Roman Catholics in communist China, because that is the subject of this thread. However, its worthwhile browsing through the document and looking at countries in which you have an interest, to see what is going on. The entire document can be found here: State Department Religion Report These are among the more interesting facts and conclusions about the Roman Catholic Churchs situation in China: (includes Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau). The headers are mine, for greater ease of reading. *Quote:* International Religious Freedom Report 2006 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Reports on Hong Kong, Macau, and Tibetan areas of China are appended at the end of this report. Legal position of religion in China The constitution provides for freedom of religious belief and the freedom not to believe; however, the Government seeks to restrict religious practice to government-sanctioned organizations and registered places of worship and to control the growth and scope of activities of religious groups. The Government tries to control and regulate religion to prevent the rise of groups that could constitute sources of authority outside of the control of the Government and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Nonetheless, membership in many faiths is growing rapidly. Our Chinese sisters and brothers in Christ *Quote:* State Department's overall conclusions about religious freedom in China During the period covered by this report, the Government's respect for freedom of religion and freedom of conscience remained poor, especially for religious groups and spiritual movements that are not registered with the Government. Unregistered religious groups continued to experience varying degrees of official interference and harassment. Members of some unregistered religious groups were subjected to restrictions, including intimidation, harassment, and detention. Unregistered religious groups were pressured to register with government organs and government-sanctioned "patriotic" religious associations linked to the five main religions--Buddhism, Islam, Taoism, Catholicism, and Protestantism. * * * * Number of Catholics in China Approximately 8 to 10 million Catholics lived in the country, according to Chinese Catholics, although precise figures were difficult to determine. These included both the 4.5 million persons registered with the official Catholic Patriotic Association and an equal or greater number who worship in unregistered Catholic churches affiliated with the Vatican. According to official figures, the government-approved Catholic Patriotic Association had 67 bishops, 5,000 priests and nuns, and more than 6,000 churches and meetinghouses. There were thought to be approximately forty bishops operating "underground," some of who were likely in prison or under house arrest. * * * * Chinese Government regulation of religious organizations, beliefs and practices. The criminal law states that government officials who deprive citizens of religious freedom may, in serious cases, be sentenced to up to two years in prison; however, there were no known cases of persons being punished under this statute. The state reserves itself the right to register and thus to allow particular religious groups and spiritual movements to operate. For each of the five main religions, there is a government-affiliated association that monitors and supervises its activities and with which religious groups must affiliate. * * * * The Roman Catholic Church forbids abortions and the use of artificial contraception. Some Chinese Catholics consider the Government's birth limitation laws and policies a violation of their religious freedom. In many parts of the country, women are required to use contraception and to have an abortion if the pregnancy violates government population control regulations. The Government does not allow the government-authorized Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and its clergy to recognize the authority of the pope in some matters, which remained a significant reason for the persistence of a large unregistered Catholic church that remained unaffiliated with the Government and Patriotic Association. Pressure by the Patriotic Association on unregistered Catholic bishops to join the official Church continued, and unregistered priests and bishops were often detained. Despite some efforts toward rapprochement between the Government and the Vatican, the Government has not established diplomatic relations with the Holy See, and there was no Vatican representative on the Mainland. Relations between Chinese government and Vatican The Vatican's diplomatic recognition of Taiwan and differences over selection of bishops remained the primary obstacles to improved relations. After the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005, Government and religious officials made conciliatory statements and welcomed Pope Benedict XVI. The Vatican invited four Chinese bishops, including one not recognized by the Government, to an October 2005 synod in Rome, but the Patriotic Association declined the invitations. St. Joseph Cathedral, Beijing, the central church of the Chinese Patriotic Association *Quote:* Problems with the ordination of bishops In March 2006 a dispute erupted between the Patriotic Association and the Vatican after the Vatican elevated prodemocracy Hong Kong Bishop Joseph Zen to cardinal. In April and May, the Patriotic Association ignored a Vatican request to delay the ordinations of Bishops Ma Yingling of Kunming, Yunnan Province, and Liu Xinhong of Wuhu, Anhui Province. The Vatican criticized the ordinations as illicit and referred to the possibility of excommunication of those ordained or conducting an ordination without papal approval. The Patriotic Association and SARA responded that the bishops had been democratically elected by priests of their dioceses and that the Vatican was interfering in the country's internal affairs. The disagreement disrupted a period of more than two years during which several Bishops were appointed with both government's and Vatican approval, including auxiliary bishops in Shanghai and Xian. Other bishops, however, were ordained with both government and Vatican approval before and after the dispute began. An increasing number of priests and bishops publicly acknowledged that the Vatican had approved their appointment. They suffered no punishment for this public stance, although the Government denied that the Vatican played any role in approving the country's clergy. In fact, most bishops recognized by the Patriotic Association have been recognized by the Vatican either before or after their appointment by the Government. In a few cases, the bishop named by the government-affiliated church conflicted directly with the bishop recognized by the Vatican, a situation that contributed significantly to tension between the Patriotic Association and the unregistered Catholic church and to tension between the Vatican and the Government. The Patriotic Association said more than forty of China's nearly one hundred dioceses had no bishop in place. * * * * Specific mistreatment of bishops There was no new information about unregistered Bishop Su Zhimin, who has been unaccounted for since his reported detention in 1997. Reliable reports suggested that he had been held in a government-run guesthouse or an old-age home near Baoding, Hebei Province. The Government continued to deny taking coercive measures against him. In June 2006, an unverified press report circulated that Bishop Su had died in custody. The Government had not responded to requests to clarify his status by the end of the reporting period. Reliable sources also reported that Bishop An Shuxin, Bishop Zhang Weizhu, Father Cui Xing, and Father Wang Quanjun remained detained in Hebei Province. According to reliable reports, Bishop An, Bishop Su's auxiliary bishop, was last seen four years ago. According to the U.S.-based Cardinal Kung Foundation, the whereabouts of Bishops Yao Liang and Zhao Zhendong, detained in past years, remained unknown, while Bishops Fan Zhongliang and Liu Guandong remained under strict surveillance. For more go here: All religions report on China
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galantarie	Re: Persecution of the Church in China	#3	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 4652 09/23/06 19:40:02 Member	See my postings, starting 09 November 2005 at World Roman-Catholicism "I have a mustard- seed; and I am not afraid to use it." [Ratzinger:"Salt of the Earth"] May Our Papa's radiant-light continuously shine forth to illuminate Christ for the world!
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rcesq	Re: Persecution of the Church in China	#4	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 1780 09/23/06 23:19:08 Moderator	Thanks, Galantarie, your posts on World Roman Catholicism fill in the background nicely. Perhaps we should consolidate the specifically China news items here and keep other countries in the world on your other thread.
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rcesq	Re: Cardinal Zen -- An Unrepentant Optimist	#5	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 1780 10/06/06 01:08:26 Moderator	Galantarie posted news of the arrest of two Chinese priests two days ago on the World Christianity thread under the Community heading. The story is here. Christian Today Photonews Unrepentant optimists is Hong Kong Cardinal Zens description of the faithful in China. In face of the persecution that still is a feature of daily life, Catholics in the Peoples Republic can teach us all a lesson in how to place our hope and trust in Christ, so that we can all become unrepentant optimists. from The Gospel Herald *Quote:* Bishop of Hong Kong: The Church in China is Fundamentally One LONDON- . . . . Monday, Oct. 2, 2006 Posted: 9:40:AM PST LONDON- Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, the Catholic Bishop of Hong Kong surprised listeners Friday when he conveyed an optimistic outlook on relations between the state-sanctioned church and the underground church in China. . . . . .Cardinal Zen gave a speech entitled "The Church in China Today" [before a sold out audience at Westminster Cathedral Hall] The Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA), which remains under the control of the Chinese government, and the Underground Church, which remains loyal to the Holy See, have been at odds with one another since the takeover of the Chinese Communist Party in 1949. Yet, the Cardinal said, "The Church in China is fundamentally one. Theyre separate... but just in front of the policies of the government." * * * * "In the official church you may see many signs of progress; more and more churches being restored, opened for worship, more children being baptized...but fundamentally nothing changed," said Bishop Zen, who was installed in March 2006 as a sign of the Popes high regard for the prelates unwaveringly fierce loyalty to Rome in often difficult circumstances. Cardinal Zen said that . . . the situation at the top of the Church remains "very bad" but said that the Roman Catholic Church was "using all opportunity to meet with the other side". * * * * "We are unrepentant optimists," he told Christian Today. "Our hope is that the young generation of communists who have travelled abroad can learn more in that system. Maybe today they cannot show their change in mind but when they come to power we can see a change in the situation." * * * * He added: "What we need is a concerted, united standing of all the western governments." [. . . Maria Mackay reported from London for this article and Eunice Or from San Francisco.] What itll take is for western governments to recognize, first of all, that freedom of religion is a fundamental human right that supports and nvigorates all the other human rights. I suspect, however, that if the situation in China is going to change it will be inspired by the demands of its own peoples, and not by pressure from the West.
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rcesq	Re: China Ordains Another Bishop Without Approval	#6	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 1780 12/01/06 02:06:00 Moderator	From Catholic News Service: *Quote:* HONG KONG (CNS) -- Father Wang Renlei, 36, was illicitly ordained coadjutor bishop of Xuzhou, China, at the diocese's Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral Nov. 30. The ordination did not have the approval of the Vatican. * * * The new bishop, born in Weishan in Shandong province, graduated from the National Seminary in Beijing and was ordained a priest in 1996. He was appointed vicar general of Xuzhou in 2001 and has been working in the bishop's house since January 2005. According to a local church source, Bishops Qian and Wang, an elderly priest and six younger priests currently make up the Xuzhou clergy. The source, who did not attend the ordination, described the new bishop as an "obedient" person who is "skillful in making connections with various parties." The source told UCA News Nov. 30 that the situation of the Xuzhou Diocese is complex due to internal problems and government interference. In recent years three priests have left the diocese, and several seminarians have left the seminary, the source said. After the ordination, spokeswoman Jiang Yu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs answered reporters' questions by saying that in view of historical factors and the current situation of the Chinese Catholic Church, the Vatican should look positively on the "self-elected, self-ordained" bishops in China. * * * "We sincerely hope for the improvement of our relations with the Vatican," she said. For the rest of the story go here. It goes without saying that relations are bound to improve if China continues to appoint and ordain bishops without the Vaticans approval. This story highlights the fact that the Pope Benedict has to be concerned not only about restrictions imposed on the Church by Moslem countries, but also about the serious interference with religious freedom in a country like China.
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rcesq	Re: Cardinal Zen's Reaction to "Ordination"	#7	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 1780 12/01/06 02:33:17 Moderator	Cardinal Joseph Zen, who was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict in the consistory in March 2006, is known for his outspokenness and his opposition to Communist interference in Church affairs. He is also a remarkably joyful person who, of all the new cardinals, wore the biggest smiles. He has reacted sharply to the November 30 "ordination" of a new Chinese bishop. *Quote:* By MIN LEE, Associated Press Writer HONG KONG - Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen on Friday lashed out at China's latest ordination of a bishop without papal approval the third known case this year accusing Beijing of reneging on a promise to the Vatican to stop the practice. * * * China drew fire from the Vatican when it installed Bishops Ma Yinglin in the southwestern city of Kunming and Liu Xinhong in Wuhu in the central province of Anhui earlier this year. The Holy See threatened to excommunicate the priests. Zen, however, said in a statement Friday that after the first round of bishop appointments this year, Beijing had invited a Vatican delegation to the Chinese capital and promised to stop the practice. "It is hard to understand how there can be people who obstinately work for destruction," Zen said . . . Thursday's ordination "made evident how those with vested interests are terribly afraid that the church one day may operate normally and freely according to her constitution." Zen also criticized the Chinese government for allegedly detaining two bishops recognized by the Vatican and forcing them to attend Wang's ordination. * * * Rest of the story is here.
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rcesq	Re: Cause for Sainthood of a Martyr in China Advances	#8	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 1780 12/02/06 02:07:53 Moderator	The Church and the faithful have long suffered in communist China. In October 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized 120 people martyred in China 87 native Chinese and 33 mission workers. Now the cause of yet another Chinese martyr is being advanced. As in the case of the 120 saints, the Chinese government is once again unhappy with this development. *Quote:* Valencia, Dec. 01, 2006 (CNA) - The vice postulator of the causes of Franciscan saints in Valencia, Spain, Father Benjamin Agullo, said this week the martyrdom of Brother Pascual Nadal, a Franciscan missionary who was interrogated by Mao Tse Tung and beheaded during the Chinese civil war of 1935, is under consideration as a cause for canonization. According to the AVAN news agency, Father Agullo said the investigation is taking place despite the great difficulties we are encountering in collecting new oral and written testimonies in China due to government opposition. , , , Brother Pascual Nadal Oltra was born in Pego, Spain in 1884. . . . In May of 1935, his local superior allowed him to leave the leper home before the arrival of Communist soldiers loyal to Mao Tse Tung, who were fleeing from the nationalist forces of Chiang Kai-Shek. Nevertheless, Brother Pascual and six other Franciscan religious decided to stay. If the Communists are my brothers, why should I flee from them? I love them also and, if they kill me, they will be doing me the greatest of services. I will be a martyr and will fly to heaven! Brother Pascual said. The Franciscans were brought before Mao Tse Tung, who interrogated them and freed everyone except Brother Pascual and Italian-born Brother Epifanio Pegoraro. On December 4, 1935, the two were decapitated by their Communist guards. Rest of the story from Catholic News Agency here.
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rcesq	Re: Vatican Condemns Illicit Episcopal Ordination	#9	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 1780 12/03/06 02:37:39 Moderator	This is the official Vatican statement about the latest unapproved ordination of a Chinese bishop. It minces no words, as the passages I've highlighted make clear. *Quote:* The Holy See feels duty-bound to makes its position known about the episcopal ordination of the priest John Wang Renlei, that took place on Thursday 30 November u.s., in Xuzhou in Jiangsu province (mainland China). 1) The Holy Father learned about the news with profound sorrow, since the above-mentioned episcopal ordination was conferred without a pontifical mandate, that is, without respecting the discipline of the Catholic Church about the appointment of Bishops (cfr Canon 377 1 of the Code of Canon Law). 2) The ordination in Xuzhou is the latest chronologically in a series of illegitimate episcopal ordinations that have afflicted the Catholic Church in China for decades, creating division in diocesan communities and tormenting the conscience of many clerics and faithful. This series of extremely grave acts, which offend the religious sentiments of each and every Catholic in China and the rest of the world, are the fruit and consequence of a vision of the Church that does not correspond with Catholic doctrine and subverts the fundamental principles of its hierarchical structure. In fact, as specified by the Second Vatican Council, one is constituted a member of the episcopal body in virtue of sacramental consecration and hierarchical communion with the head and members of the body (Lumen Gentium, n. 22, first line). 3) The Holy See, getting to know about the episcopal ordination in the diocese of Xuzhou only at the last minute, did not fall short of taking those steps that could possibly be undertaken in the short time at its disposal, so that this act, which would have produced a new laceration in the ecclesial community, would not come about. In fact, an illegitimate Episcopal ordination is objectively such a serious act that canon law establishes severe sanctions for those who confer or receive it, always if the act is undertaken in conditions of true freedom (cfr Canon 1382 of the Code of Canon Law). 4) It is consoling to see that, despite past and present difficulties, nearly all the Bishops, priests, members of religious orders and lay people in China, aware that they make up a living part of the universal Church, have maintained a deep communion of faith and life with the Successor of Peter and with all the Catholic communities scattered around the world. 5) The Holy See is aware of the spiritual drama and suffering of those clerics consecrating Bishops and Ordinands who find themselves forced to take an active part in illicit episcopal ordinations, thus contravening Catholic tradition, which they desire to follow faithfully in their hearts. Further, it shares in the inner unease felt by those Catholics priests, religious and lay people who are obliged to welcome a Pastor who they know is not in full hierarchical communion neither with the head of the College of Bishops nor with other Bishops scattered around the world. 6) As regards episcopal ordinations, the Holy See cannot accept to be faced with accomplished facts. Therefore, it deplores the way of proceeding in the ordination of the priest, Wang Renlei, which took place in Xuzhou, and augurs that incidents of the kind will not be repeated in the future. However, the Holy See's words appear to fall on deaf ears when it comes to Chinese officialdom. Sadly, coercion of priests and bishops in China continues with sudden arrests and the like.
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rcesq	Vatican Meeting on China Strategy	#10	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 1780 01/17/07 01:50:35 Moderator	From RKNieuws.net (Translation from Dutch) The Vatican turns to the delicate dossier on the Catholic Church in China: Determining a strategy Vatican City Pope Benedict XVI will shortly call a meeting to discuss the delicate dossier of the Catholic Church in China, a Vatican source informed the specialized religious agency I-media on Tuesday. The report that appeared in a Hong Kong newspaper is thereby confirmed. The goal for the gathering is to inform the Pope to the smallest details about the situation of the Chinese Church and to determine a strategy after the recent bishops ordinations without Vatican permission. Cardinal Joseph Zen-Ze Kiun, bishop of Hong Kong, announced the meeting in the Vatican in the South China Morning Post. According to the Vatican, the meeting is of the same kind that the Pope has already called for the subjects of priestly celibacy and the conservative archbishop Lefebvre. China has several million Catholics. They are divided between the Patriotic Church, which is acknowledged by the political authorities, and the clandestine Church, which is loyal to the Pope. Beijing and the Vatican do not have diplomatic relations. The Vatican wants to restore them as quickly as possible.
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Benodette	Pope Benedict to address the Church in China	#11	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 6214 01/22/07 06:55:41	Spero News - The Press Office of the Holy See has made public a communication which honors the many bishops, priests, and faithful of China, who have, without compromise, maintained full communion with the Pope, even in times when the cost is grave suffering. The communiqu also states that Pope Benedict XVI will soon write a letter to Catholics in China. The Vatican message follows a meeting, conducted over the 19th and 20th of January, in which several Vatican officials and Chinese bishops examined the most grave and urgent problems for the Church in China and offered their best solutions in light of the fundamental principles of the Divine Constitution of the Church and of religious liberty. The meeting was especially necessary, the communication said, in light of the tormented history of the Church in China and the key events of the last year in which the Chinese government ordained several bishops without the permission of Rome in addition to the kidnapping and punishment of several bishops and priests loyal to the Successor of St. Peter. During the meeting the prelates took note, with profound gratitude, of the clear testimony offered by the bishops, priests, and faithful who, without compromise, have maintained their fidelity to the Chair of Peter, even in times when the cost is grave suffering. www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idarticle=7563 The Pope prepares a letter to Chinas Catholics
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rcesq	Re: Pope Benedict to address the Church in China	#12	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 1780 02/16/07 02:31:28 Moderator	From AsiaNews *Quote:* The Patriotic Associations war against the Church and a harmonious society by Bernardo Cervellera The government is evaluating this cumbersome organization; the Vatican and the Church in China accuse it of distorting the nature of the Churchs sacramental character. The leaders of the Patriotic Association launch a violent campaign to defend themselves, attacking Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong. * * * AsiaNews sources in Beijing say that members of the government, Patriotic Association leaders, and members of the Chinese Communist Party are worriedly awaiting the letter, expected for Easter that the Pope has decided to write to Chinese Catholics. According to rumours, the Pope will, for the first time, deal publicly with the question of the unity of the Church in China and relations with the government and with the Patriotic Association. By now, the latter is seen by all as the true obstacle to relations between China and the Vatican. * * * The government too seems to be distancing itself from the Patriotic Association. * * * [A]n official study . . . shows that there are 300 million believers in China, three times the official figure. This means that at least 200 million Chinese are not accounted for within the official structures controlled by the Patriotic Associations. The reason is clear: no one accepts submitting to the control of the Patriotic Associations in matters of faith; plus, economic interests are often hiding under the mantle of ideological control: the seizure of goods belonging to religious communities for personal gain. To give just one example, in the Catholic Church, over 80% of the estate of Chinese dioceses has been confiscated by officials of the Patriotic Association, who sell and rent land and buildings, pocketing the income, instead of using it for the Churchs mission in poorer regions. . . . * * * [The Patriotic Associations] create confusion and tension among the believers that are signed up with them. The most significant example is the illicit ordination of various bishops without Holy See approval. These took place, above all, through the use of violence, deceit and lies against the candidates themselves. But, most of all, they distressed the faithful for the fear of seeing the growth of independent communities which refuse ties with the pope. The Vaticans statement after the latest ordination, that of November 30, 2006, stressed this aspect. This series of extremely grave acts, which offends the religious sentiments of each and every Catholic in China and the rest of the world, is the fruit and consequence of a vision of the Church that does not correspond with Catholic doctrine and subverts the fundamental principles of its hierarchical structure. The Vaticans statement shows that what is being questioned is not, above all, the Chinese governments role, but that of the Patriotic Association which went ahead with the ordinations in order to reaffirm its control over the official Church, which is, at this point, almost entirely reconciled with the Pope. * * *
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rcesq	Door to Door Hunt for Underground Priests and Faithful	#13	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 1780 02/16/07 03:10:56 Moderator	More from Asia News: *Quote:* Hunt for priests in Xiwanzi diocese * * * The Patriotic Association (PA) has launched a violent campaign against underground Catholics in Xiwanzi. . . .Prompted by the local authorities, the police are on a manhunt, with door-to-door searches for underground priests to make them inscribe to the PA. Believers who refuse to collaborate and to act as spies are arrested or left without work. Those with shops are forced to shut down. The auxiliary bishop of the diocese, Mgr Yao Liang, has been missing in police custody since 30 July. There are also 20 believers and two priests in prison. . . . The diocese of Xiwanzi (Hebei) is a diocese of the underground Church, with 15,000 members, around 260km north of Beijing, nearly at the border with Inner Mongolia. On 28 July last, the faithful were getting ready for a pilgrimage to Mount Muozi, in Inner Mongolia, a tradition in place for 100 years. But for the first time, the police banned it and monitored all churches for 24 hours a day. On 30 July, the religious affairs office invited Mgr Yao Liang to Zhangjiakou (the centre of the district) to discuss with him the restitution of some properties of the church but instead they kidnapped him and held him in prison. They deceived the bishop and so far we have heard nothing of him, said the appeal. In Hebei, the region with the highest number of Catholics, a harsh campaign of repression against the unofficial church has been under way for years in a bid to force it to join the PA. On 1 August, Fr Li Huisheng was arrested, tortured by the police and later released. After this abuse, more than 90 believers (of the church of Shangyi, Xiwanzi diocese) protested outside the police headquarters. They were charged, beaten by police and forced to disperse. In the night, between 2 and 4am, around 500 police launched a raid, re-arresting Fr Li, who had returned to church, and 90 people. At least 20 are still in prison, together with Fr Li. Another priest of the diocese, Fr Wang Zhong, has disappeared. Relatives of Fr Li have forked out 100,000 yuan (around 10,000 euros) to find six lawyers to defend him. But all the lawyers gave up his case under pressure from local officials. And so Fr Li was condemned to seven years for inciting the masses against the government. The priest is currently in Shalingzi prison of Zhangjakou. Other believers have been convicted of similar charges and sentenced. * * * In recent years, the activities of the unofficial community of Xiwanzi were tolerated. On 18 July last, believers even inaugurated a church dedicated to the Sacred Heart in Guyang district. The church was constructed thanks to donations from believers, who tithed themselves for two years. Those who did not have enough money offered hours of voluntary work, sacrificing their time of rest, said a local Catholic. Even women and children came to help to build this house of God. More than 7,000 people together with 21 priests and a bishop of the unofficial church participated in the consecration ceremony. Some Catholics believe the worsening persecution is due to signals of dialogue between the Chinese government and the Vatican, which are being increasingly hindered by the Patriotic Association. We should keep our brothers and sisters in China in our prayers. They live like the early Christians, constantly in danger of serious persecution for their faith. It's likely that China will continue to be somewhat schizophrenic about religion because, after all, Maoism and communism were for decades the equivalent of a state religion. Now, however, the Chinese authorities want to appear tolerant, especially in view of the Olympic Games that are going to be celebrated in Beijing next year.
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rcesq	Re: Chinese Marian Shrine Closed; Scheduled for Destruction	#14	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 1780 06/24/07 19:03:33 Moderator	From Asia News: Henan government: destroy the sanctuary of Our Lady of Carmel in Tianjiajing *Quote:* Rome (AsiaNews) Next July 16th pilgrims and faithful from Henan will not be allowed to go on pilgrimage to the sanctuary in Tianjiajing. The government from the province of Henan has in fact decreed that the historic sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel will be blown up with dynamite; a complete ban on Catholics organizing their annual pilgrimage; a complete ban on any religious gathering or function being celebrated in the area. A statue of the Virgin, over one hundred years old, is destined to be destroyed along with 14 stations of The Way of the Cross which punctuate the entrance to the shrine. The sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel lies in Tianjiajing (Linxian district), in the diocese of Anyang, in the reaches of a mountain which dominates majestic scenery. It was ordered built by PIME missionary Msgr. Stefano Scarsella, then apostolic vicar to northern Henan, to thank the Virgin for preserving them from the dangers of the Boxers persecution in 1900. The shrine was built in1903-1905. The elegantly styled neo-roman Church was almost completely destroyed first by the Japanese in the Second World War, then by the Red Guard in the 60s. Since 1979, the faithful returned to celebrating their faith with solemn liturgies and pilgrimages, travelling many kilometres on foot to the sanctuary ruins and representation of the Lourdes Grotto, where still today the original Marian statue can be seen. According to AsiaNews sources, May 12th last, on the feast of Our Lady of China, the diocese of Anyang distributed leaflets on the upcoming annual pilgrimage to Tianjiajing on July 16th feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Usually the pilgrimage gathers 45-50 thousand people. Since then the Department for Religious Affairs has kept strict surveillance of all priests, forcing them to hold discussions to convince them not to go ahead with the pilgrimage. May 11th last the secretary general of Henan province gave a personal order to cancel the pilgrimage and spread the order to the neighbouring provinces of Hebei and Shanxi. To occupy the site and prevent any form of sit-in, the provincial government began holding military exercises in the area of the shrine on May 12, mobilizing over 700 soldiers. Still today all roads leading to the sanctuary are closed. All cars and pedestrians who pass by are stopped and searched. . . . Those of us living in the West should keep the trials and tribulations our brothers and sisters in China in mind. Galantarie has posted a story about the imprisonment of underground Catholic bishop of Zheng Ding here (6/24/07 7:18 pm)
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rcesq	Re: Pope's Letter to the Chinese Catholics	#15	[url]	[-]
Member Posts: 1780 06/30/07 17:37:25 Moderator	On June 30, Pope Benedict XVI released the long awaited letter to the Catholics in China. Two principal themes are at play throughout the document: First, to be Catholic you must be in communion with the Pope, the Successor of Peter, Christs Vicar on earth. Second, the Pope calls upon the Catholic faithful in China to put into practice Christs admonition to forgive your enemies. The first theme is directed at those Chinese Catholics, lay, religious, clerical and Episcopal, who for various reasons belong to the official Catholic Church that is more or less run by the Chinese Patriotic Association/Office of Religious Affairs and which does not recognize the Holy Fathers authority. The second is directed at the Chinese underground Church which has suffered and continues to suffer because of its fidelity to Rome. We should all pray that these fellow Christians may be inspired by the Popes letter and will strive to obtain the unity that should bring them all joy. This is the Letter Of The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI To The Bishops, Priests, Consecrated Persons And Lay Faithful Of The Catholic Church In The People's Republic Of China *Quote:* Greeting 1. Dear Brother Bishops, dear priests, consecrated persons and all the faithful of the Catholic Church in China: We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven ... We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy'' (Col 1:3-5, 9-11). These words of the Apostle Paul are highly appropriate for expressing the sentiments that I, as the Successor of Peter and universal Pastor of the Church, feel towards you. You know well how much you are present in my heart and in my daily prayer and how deep is the relationship of communion that unites us spiritually. Purpose of the Letter 2. I wish, therefore, to convey to all of you the expression of my fraternal closeness. With intense joy I acknowledge your faithfulness to Christ the Lord and to the Church, a faithfulness that you have manifested sometimes at the price of grave sufferings'',1 since it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake'' (Phil 1:29). Nevertheless, some important aspects of the ecclesial life of your country give cause for concern. Without claiming to deal with every detail of the complex matters well known to you, I wish through this letter to offer some guidelines concerning the life of the Church and the task of evangelization in China, in order to help you discover what the Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, the key, the centre and the purpose of the whole of human history'' 2 wants from you. . . . AFP-Alberto Pizzoli Here is the Explanatory Note that accompanied the Letter. *Quote:* . . . . D. Tone and outlook of the Letter With spiritual concern and using an eminently pastoral language, Benedict XVI addresses the entire Church in China. His intention is not to create situations of harsh confrontation with particular persons or groups: even though he expresses judgments on certain critical situations, he does so with great understanding for the contingent aspects and the persons involved, while upholding the theological principles with great clarity. The Pope wishes to invite the Church to a deeper fidelity to Jesus Christ and he reminds all Chinese Catholics of their mission to be evangelizers in the present specific context of their country. The Holy Father views with respect and deep sympathy the ancient and recent history of the great Chinese people and once again declares himself ready to engage in dialogue with the Chinese authorities in the awareness that normalization of the life of the Church in China presupposes frank, open and constructive dialogue with these authorities. Furthermore, Benedict XVI, like his Predecessor John Paul II before him, is firmly convinced that this normalization will make an incomparable contribution to peace in the world, thus adding an irreplaceable piece to the great mosaic of peaceful coexistence among peoples. AP Photo Elizabeth Dalziel Here is the story in the New York Times *Quote:* By Elisabeth Rosenthal ROME, June 30 In an extraordinary open letter directed to Chinese Catholics and released Saturday, Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged the suffering experienced by Catholics under Communist rule but also concluded that it was time to forgive past wrongdoings and for the underground and state-sponsored Catholic churches in China to reconcile. Openly hoping for a renewal of relations between China and the Vatican, which were suspended in the late 1950s, Pope Benedict reassured the Chinese government that the Vatican offered no political challenge to its authority, while urging the state-sponsored Catholic Church to acknowledge the Vaticans control on religious matters. The misunderstanding and incomprehension weighs heavily, serving neither the Chinese authorities nor the Catholic Church in China, the letter said. . . . . The pope praised China for the splendor of its ancient civilization and noted with approval that it had greater religious freedoms and decisive movement toward socio-economic progress. He underlined that the Roman Catholic Church does not have a mission to change the structure or administration of the State. . . . . But the popes message to the Patriotic Church Association, the central government body that oversees the state churches, was that no Catholic Church should operate independently of the Vatican, and he said Catholics should seek to worship with priests who accepted the guidance of Rome. He criticized grave limitations in religious practice that touch the heart of faith. Still, he said, sacraments administered in state churches were holy. He officially revoked a set of 1988 directives, promulgated by the previous pope, John Paul II, that gave bishops and priests in China special powers that allowed them to operate without the mandate of the Vatican. The directives were intended to allow underground clerics to operate secretly and independently to avoid persecution; the Vatican says it sees that as no longer necessary. . . . . The Chinese government offered no immediate reaction, and the Patriotic Church Association had been meeting in the past few days, probably to discuss the content of the letter, Mr. Fazzini said. Cardinal Joseph Zen Zi-kiun, the bishop of Hong Kong and a passionate advocate for the underground church on the mainland, issued a written statement late Saturday evening. The voice of our bishops and priests in China is often prevented from reaching our leaders; now that the letter of the pope is in the hands of our leaders, our bishops and priests can thus refer to it directly as a common starting point for dialogue, he said. . . .
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Persecution of the Church in China

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