China: Patriotic Association Bishops Support Government on Abortion

National Catholic Register, Peter Jesserer Smith:

[From interview with Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo, a Vatican consultant and regular visitor to China]

Does anybody have an idea as to what is to be done about the Patriotic Association?

From my perspective, it’s obviously a big problem; it’s a big issue. I spoke with some of these bishops and some of the officials at the bishops’ conference on issues such as abortion, the two-child family policy; and certainly in those areas, and I won’t hide this, they do back the government on those areas, because I think they feel they need to. They need to; because they’re part of [the Patriotic Association], there’s a loyalty to the government.  Full interview is here.