Leaders of Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association meet with Brazilian bishops, propose dialogue
July 22, 2011
A delegation from China’s government-backed Catholic Patriotic Association met with the secretary of the Brazilian bishops’ conference last week—on the very day that the Patriotic Association defied the Vatican by installing a new bishop without the Pope’s approval.
The Chinese delegation met with Archbishop Leonardo Steiner in order to “propose a dialogue” with the Brazilian bishops. A statement by the Chinese visitors was briefly posted on the web site of the Brazilian bishops’ conference and then removed, hinting that the Brazilian prelate may not have been informed that he was meeting with a group whose existence Pope Benedict has decried. The Chinese delegation was in Brazil in response to an invitation from another group.
The Patriotic Association has refused to recognize the authority of the Holy See in the affairs of the Church in China, and has vowed to appoint its own bishops without Vatican approval. In response the Vatican has announced that the bishops who are thus ordained are excommunicated, and have no authority over the Church in their Chinese dioceses.
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Further information:
- Brazilian bishops meet with delegation from state-run Chinese bishops' group (CNA)
- State-run China church group met Brazilian bishops (UCAN)
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Posted by: -
Jul. 23, 2011 2:22 PM ET USA
This is very troubling. In this country we already have an unofficial anti-Vatican Church consisting of rebellius bishops, rebellius priests, rebellius nuns, rebellius academics, rebellius pseudo-Catholic politicians and their liberal lay sheep. Given that China practically owns Washington, how long before we hear the NYT congratulating Beijing on its liberation of the Catholic Church in America?
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Jul. 22, 2011 5:48 PM ET USA
This is a bald-faced attempt to do something like Gallicanism, which was condemned and ultimately failed. The Vatican needs to come down hard on this "dialogue" before the contagion spreads. Henry VIII must be smiling from the nether regions.
