Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association - CathNews New Zealand

Vatican and China seek improved relations

Ronan — Mon, 27 May 2024 06:08:36 +0000

The Vatican and China are signalling a potential thaw in their historically strained relationship, with both sides expressing a willingness to work together.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, has proposed the establishment of a permanent Vatican office in Beijing.

This is a significant gesture towards deeper diplomatic ties.

Parolin reaffirmed that the Church does not threaten China's sovereignty.

While stressing the importance of unity with Rome, he acknowledged that foreign missionaries made past "errors" in evangelisation.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, responded positively to Parolin's call.

He desired "continuous improvement" in relations with the Vatican.

Amid these diplomatic overtures, the Vatican is also focused on renewing its controversial agreement with China regarding episcopal appointments.

Cardinal Parolin, speaking at a conference on Vatican-China relations, expressed optimism about the renewal and development of this deal, struck in 2018.

For decades, the Church in China has been divided into an "official" Church run by the government-backed Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA), and a so-called "underground" Church in union with Rome.

The 2018 Vatican and China deal allows the Pope to select bishops from candidates proposed by Chinese authorities.

This significant concession aims to unify the CPCA and the underground Church.

Taiwan monitoring developments

Taiwan, which maintains formal diplomatic relations with the Vatican, is closely monitoring these developments.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry reiterated its ongoing cooperation with the Vatican on humanitarian issues and religious freedom. The country expressed concerns over China's alleged violations of religious freedom.

Taiwan also highlighted recent interactions with the Vatican. This included a delegation's visit on climate change and the Vatican's presence at Taiwan's presidential inauguration.

Two priests missing in China

Despite the positive signals indicated by Cardinal Parolin and Chinese officials, two Catholic priests from the underground Baoding diocese in Hebei Province have been reported missing.

Fathers Chen Hekun and Chi Huitian are believed to be victims of forced disappearances, according to a report by China Aid on 22 May.

Baoding diocese, one of China's largest underground Catholic jurisdictions, is not recognised by the state-sanctioned Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA).

Incidents of forced disappearances targeting priests resisting the state-sanctioned church have been reported before. Detainees are often subjected to political "re-education" by the Chinese Communist Party, extending their detention until they comply.

Sources

Vatican and China seek improved relations

China's president trying to control religion

Juliet Palmer — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 07:08:53 +0000

China's President Xi Jinping says he wants to make the country's many religions more Chinese-oriented by instilling socialist core values.

Speaking at the country's five-yearly Communist Party conference, Xi said religion poses threats to national security. He told the conference that separatism promoted under the guise of religion would not be tolerated.

Although China officially recognizes Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism and Catholicism, it is strongly against Muslim and Buddhist groups suspected of separatism.

It is also against Falun Gong, a meditation-focused spiritual group that was banned in 1999. Falun Gong supporters suffer state persecution.

Critics say Xi's comments were directed toward Tibetan Buddhists, many of whom have advocated for independence from China.

The critics also say the speech is part Xi's push to suppress religion or drive it underground. Churches have been forming in private homes in the mainly atheist country.

This specifically affects the country's 12 million Catholics.

Despite nominally supporting Catholicism, China refuses to recognise Pope Francis's role or authority. Nor does the government recognise many of the country's Vatican-appointed church leaders.

Instead, the government has established the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (PA). The PA is "a sort of alternative ecclesiastical hierarchy officially recognized by the Chinese authorities".

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has called the PA "incompatible with Catholic doctrine" since it recognises both legitimately and illegitimately appointed bishops.

The Vatican and the Chinese government are having talks about recognising and appointing bishops.

The current proposal would allow the government to select possible episcopal candidates and send the names to the Pope for approval or denial.

Source

China's president trying to control religion

Fears for missing Chinese bishop

Juliet Palmer — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:06:01 +0000

The Chinese government has ignored "grave concern" over the abduction of Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin of Wenzhou.

In response to the Vatican's concerns for the bishop, Lu Kang, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said: "China opposes any country interfering in China's internal affairs."

Shao Zhumin was forced from his diocese on 18 May by the Chinese state. He has not been seen since.

Lu Kang also said China is "strengthening [its] management of religious affairs."

The Beijing Government has consistently demanded control over the Catholic Church in China.

Shao Zhumin, who is a Vatican-appointed bishop, is not a member of the state-run Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. As this is the case, he is part of the underground church not recognized by the communist government.

Source

Fears for missing Chinese bishop