Chinese Bishops invited to Rome: government has the last word
The invitation has displeased a spokesperson of the Patriotic Association. But Catholics are happy and honoured.
Rome (AsiaNews) An unidentified spokesman of the Patriotic Association (P.A.) and the College of Chinese Bishops expressed their "displeasure" for the invitation extended by Benedict XVI to 4 Chinese bishops. Recently the Pope published a list of people appointed as members of the Synod of the Eucharist. Among these are Monsignor Aloysius Jin Luxian (Shanghai), Msgr Anthony Li Duan (Xian), Msgr Luke Li Jingfeng (Fengxiang), Msgr Joseph Wei Jingyi (Qiqihar). The first three are recognized by the Chinese government, the latter is part of the unofficial (underground) Church.
The unidentified spokesperson said that the Vatican's public announcement, "shows no respect for the 5 million Catholics in China, their bishops, the college of bishops and the Patriotic Association, and for the decision-making processes of these two entities."
This spokesperson also adds that, initially, the two groups "thought" that the invitation was "a good sign for the normalization of relations between China and Vatican," in "recognizing the College of Bishops and the Patriotic Association." The unidentified spokesman concluded that, given the faltering health of some of the bishops invited, and given the diplomatic relations that exist between the Vatican and Taiwan, the bishops will not be able to go to Rome.
News which has reached AsiaNews from China over the last few days does not coincide with the statements of this mysterious spokesperson. To begin with, Catholics and bishops are pleased by the invitation and think as we were told by Msgr Jin Luxian of Shanghai that it is an honour for the Church and for China. Furthermore, the 5 million official Catholics and the 8 million underground are celebrating the appointments and have decided to pray, fast and recite novenas so that the government gives its permission to the 4 prelates.
Our impression is that the last word has not yet been said on the four bishops' invitation to Rome. A Chinese Catholic told AsiaNews that "if the government wants to send the bishops to Rome, no Patriotic Association can stop them."
The last word in fact belongs to President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. One factor that is still a source of some hope is what appears to be a certain detachment from the normal practices of the Patriotic Association in government decisions. The naming of the auxiliary bishops of Shanghai and Xian came about with the tacit agreement between the Vatican and the government, without going through the Patriotic Association. In fact, with the Stalinist and Cultural Revolution mentality of its executives, the Patriotic Association is, at this point, creating more problems than solutions for Chinese Catholics. In many regions, there is enough tension between the Patriotic Association executives and the faithful, both underground and official, to jeopardize the project for a "harmonious society" close to the people that Hu Jintao has been pursuing.
For this reason, it is still possible that the government will detach itself from the statement of the Patriotic Association's spokesperson, and take a groundbreaking and far-sighted decision.
The statements of the anonymous spokesperson seem to simply indicate a certain irritation for having been left out of the picture at such an important for China and the Universal Church.
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24/10/2019 17:56
22/10/2005
