I posted a column last week on the ongoing persecution, direct and subtle, of the Catholic Church in China. This afternoon I read an excellent account written by China expert, Father Bernardo Cervellera of Asia News, that I think supports my brief assessment with a plenitude of facts. One thing missing from Father Cervellera’s article, however, is that the Catholic Patriotic Association’s Council of Bishops in 2000, through its late president, Jesuit Bishop Michael Fu Tieshan of Beijing, issued an obsequious statement opposing Pope John Paul II’s beatification of 120 Chinese martyrs (killed during the Boxer uprising) and giving full support for the government’s one child per family policy, which includes forced abortions.
Asia News: In recent months, since April until today, the Church in China has celebrated the ordination of six new bishops, as well as the official installation of a previously ordained bishop who had not been recognised by the government. What has been surprising is that all candidates were approved by the Holy See and recognized by Beijing. But even more surprising is that this wave of new Episcopal ordinations comes in the wake of two lean years, i.e. during which there were no consecrations despite the fact that there were about 40 dioceses of the official Church with octogenarian pastors, who needed replacement, or indeed vacant sees. Full article is here.
