The Pope will write a letter to Chinese Catholics:
Benedict XVI has decided to shortly “address a letter to the Catholics of China”: this was the important conclusion contained in an official statement released by the Holy See press office at the end of a 2 day meeting held at the Vatican January 19 and 20. Participating in the meeting which had as its theme “The situation of the Catholic Church in China” were Chinese bishops from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and the most important representatives from the Secretary of State and the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. The meeting was presided over by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, secretary of state. The statement affirms that “The will to continue on the journey of a respectful and constructive dialogue with the governing authorities in order to overcome past difficulties, emerged. More over, the hope was expressed that a normalization of relations on all levels would come to pass”.
The statement notes that the meeting was called at the express wish of the Pope “in the desire to deepen his knowledge of the situation of the Catholic Church in China”.
The meeting “was animated by a frank and fraternal cordiality” and examined “the most serious and urgent ecclesial problems, which call for adequate solutions based on the fundamental principles of the Church’s divine constitution and religious freedom”. In the last few months in China there have been a series of arrests of priests loyal to the underground Church as well as the ordination of priest without the approval of the Holy See, facts judged by the Vatican to be “a grave violation of religious freedom”.
The statement highlights the “troubled history of the Church in China” and recalls the heroism of many faithful, priests and bishops of the underground church who have suffered persecution: “The Church expresses its profound gratitude for the inspiring witness of the bishops priests and lay faithful, who without compromise, have maintained their loyalty to the see of peter, often paying a grave and painful price by doing so.”
According to AsiaNews data at least 17 underground bishops have disappeared, been arrested or are detained in isolation; 20 priests have been arrested. The latest arrest took place on December 27th in Hebei. Of the 9 priests arrested, 5 remain in prison, 4 have been released.
At the same time the statement highlights that the official Church (“almost in it’s totality”) is in communion with the Pope. “The Church notes with particular joy that almost all of the bishops and priests are in communion with the Holy Father”. At least 85% of the bishops from the official Church – registered and recognised by the government – have been for years now in contact with the Holy See, contrasting the work of the Patriotic Association bent on creating a Church independent of Rome.
Compared to what happens in churches all over the world – where authority rests with the Bishops and the Episcopal conference – in China the supreme authority of the official Church is a “Unitary Assembly of the AP and the Chinese Bishops Council” formed by representatives of the catholic organisations (chosen by AP), secretaries of AP and bishops, where the latter is in the minority. All decisions – at least according to the statute- are taken “democratically”. “This democratic aspect – says another Catholic – is false: in reality the AP decides and enforces its decisions. In Beijing, where they are preparing to replace the gravely ill Patriotic Bishop Fu Tieshan, the AP has already established the manes of candidates as successors and has made clear that it will not accept others”.
The point is that the Assembly also deals with theology, liturgy and Church sacraments, among which the ordination of bishops. In this way, the life and heart of the Church are submitted to political decisions and also to a “democratic” method which corrupts and risks destroying the apostolic dimension and sacramental faith of Catholicism.
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