Chinese government rips Vatican statement
December 22, 2010
Less than a week after the Holy See denounced the Chinese government’s repressive control of Church affairs, the State Administration for Religious Affairs has blasted the Vatican for its “attack on religious freedom in China.”
“The Vatican’s behavior is very imprudent and ungrounded,” a government spokesman said. “The Vatican’s position is well-known. It works to promote political ideas under the pretext of religious belief, which is very dangerous and will seriously harm the healthy development of Chinese Catholicism in China.”
“Chinese citizens enjoy freedom of religion and at the same time, religious organizations should not be influenced by foreign forces,” the statement continued.
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Further information:
- China says Vatican criticism 'imprudent', 'dangerous' (AFP)
- Vatican denounces Chinese interference (CWN, 12/17)
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Posted by: Defender -
Dec. 22, 2010 11:42 AM ET USA
Pius XII encountered these problems (and more) from China. His Holiness knew that Communist (no one seems to want to say this term much anymore) China only reacts to being placated (as many have done and do) by doing exactly what they want. China continues to use re-education camps and regularly detains clergy without charge and holds them incommunicado. Yet, despite China's signatures on various documents, nothing is done and words are left unsaid because they might "offend?" China offends.
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Posted by: DrJazz -
Dec. 22, 2010 9:40 AM ET USA
Gotta love the bureaucratese: "Chinese Catholicism," which is akin to "local universalism;" "Chinese Catholicism in China," as opposed to, say, Chinese Catholicism in Japan; and best of all, “Chinese citizens enjoy freedom of religion." Sure . . . you're free to believe what we say, or get beaten. Which would you like to do?
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Posted by: DrJazz -
Dec. 22, 2010 9:35 AM ET USA
As opposed to promoting political ideas under the pretext of political belief, which has turned out so very well for millions of Chinese tortured and killed over the last 50 years by the Communists.
