Clarity Needed: Cardinal Zen Unsatisfied With Vatican Ambiguity on Episcopate in China

Catholic Culture, Phil Lawler: In its statement on the controversy surrounding talks between the Holy See and Beijing, the Vatican has affirmed what was never in question, while leaving the key question unanswered—at best.

The January 30 statement from the Vatican press office is brief enough to be quoted in full:

The Pope is in constant contact with his collaborators, in particular in the Secretariat of State, on Chinese issues, and is informed by them faithfully and in detail on the situation of the Catholic Church in China and on the steps in the dialogue in progress between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China, which he follows with special attention. It is therefore surprising and regrettable that the contrary is affirmed by people in the Church, thus fostering confusion and controversy.

 

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