Card. Zen’s anguish over illegal ordination of Chengde
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The news of the ordination of Mgr. Guo Jincai Bishop of Chengde (Hebei), without papal approval, on November 20 last, arrived at the Vatican while the Consistory took place. Card. Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong and a member of the Vatican Commission for the Church in China, was also among participants. Here we publish some of his thoughts about the Chengde ordination, which the cardinal sent to AsiaNews, and also published on his personal blog in English and Chinese.
What should have never happened, has happened again!
I am sitting in a fully illuminated St. Peter’s Basilica. In a short while the Holy Father is going to create 24 new Cardinals. But I am in no mood of celebration. I have learned the bad news: what should have never happened has happened again: once more an Episcopal ordination took place in China without the papal mandate, and the bishops who took part in the rite were as many as eight! Were they all kidnapped and dragged to the place? We hear that someone was well able to refuse to participate.
Instead of coming here I would have preferred to remain in the chapel of the house where I am accommodated to allow my self a good cry. I am sure many priests, sisters and faithful, in both the underground and above the ground communities, are crying, The Blessed Virgin Mary is crying, because once more they have crucified Jesus.
Now we can see that to vanity light heartedly those excommunications were a misguided compassion. What other crime they would not be prepared to commit for “the good of the Church”? Anyway we should not be so quick to condemn those our brothers, before listening to their self-justification.
But Mr. Lau bai-nian has condemned the Holy See? “We can wait no more,” The last word belongs to him! We thought there was a sincere negotiation going on. No, it was not so. He wants everything his way. That the 10 ordinations this year could take place, it was mainly because he was satisfied. He is the boss!
And then, the kidnapping of persons, the cutting of all communication, the huge display of police force as if dealing with dangerous criminals…are we not living well into the 21st century? Such fascist method, gangster style has brought shame on our noble nation. Are our leaders aware of what is happening? Are the approving it? Was that what they wanted? Is this the harmonious society?
Oh Lord, wake up! Why do you turn your face from us? Come quickly to save us (Ps. 44)
Brothers “arrive, you who refuse to remain slaves” (national anthem), don’t look for immediate advantages; turn your gaze to the Lord coming in “this” last day.
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