Cardinal Zen: Beijing still in 'tug of war' for control of Catholic hierarchy
July 29, 2010
Cardinal Joseph Zen issued a strong caution against the belief that the Chinese government is willing to cooperate with the Holy See on the appointment of Catholic bishops.
The retired bishop of Hong Kong, who has been a persistent critic of the Beijing regime’s restrictions on religious freedom, has written an essay for the AsiaNews service, arguing that Chinese government officials are engaged in a “tug of war” with the Vatican for control of the Chinese Catholic hierarchy.
Disputing an account that had appeared in 30 Giorni magazine, Cardinal Zen said that the recent appointments of several new Chinese bishops with the approval of the Vatican should not be taken as a sign that the struggle for control has ended. It would be naive, the cardinal said, to believe that Beijing wants all Chinese bishops to be appointed by the Holy See. The regime still seeks its own control, he insisted.
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