As with every jurisdictional Vatican compromise with Communist governments the one in the offing smells of betrayal. There have been four secret meetings between Vatican representatives and Chinese government officials in the past two years, the most recent being at the end of April. Cardinal Zen, retired Bishop of Hong Kong, is not at all optimistic. He does not trust anything that Beijing would offer:
“We do not see any sign that would encourage the hope that the Chinese Communists are about to change their restrictive religious policy…..It is unthinkable to leave the initial proposal in the hands of an atheist government who cannot possibly judge the suitability of a candidate to be a bishop.”
Zen is aggrieved that the Chinese faithful (including himself) have been left out of the loop concerning these negotiations. Even a commission officially established by the Vatican to oversee such negotiations has been left in the dark these past two years.
Father Bernardo Cervellera, the Founding Editor of the AsiaNews, wrote: “….It would seem that Beijing’s proposal is….: Vatican’s approval of the (Chinese) government recognized Council of Bishops (an entity of the Chinese government)…(and) approval of the competency of this Council (not the Pope) in the appointments of new candidates to the episcopacy who will be ‘democratically’ elected (in short according to the suggestions of the Patriotic Association). The Holy See MUST approve the Council’s appointment, and has a WEAK veto only in ‘severe’ cases, which must be justified if used. If the Holy See’s justifications are considered ‘insufficient’ (by the Council), the Council of Bishops may decide to proceed anyway.”
There are many vacant sees in China that the government would like to fill with its ‘patriotic’ cronies. That could amount to 20-30 government appointed bishops, ordained with or without Vatican approval
Cardinal John Tong of Hong Kong seems more hopeful. I am afraid this is wishful thinking. He studied under Cardinal Zen and should trust his mentor’s more experienced judgment.
Catholic Culture: Cardinal John Tong of Hong Kong has said that the Vatican is close to an agreement with the Chinese government on the appointment of bishops for mainland China.
The cardinal’s statement comes at a time when there is heavy speculation about an imminent agreement, based on quiet negotiations between the Vatican and Beijing. Read more of what Cardinal Tong said here and in linked article from the Tablet.
