Vatican appeasement allows Beijing to control Chinese Church, Cardinal Zen charges
February 21, 2013
Cardinal Joseph Zen has charged that the Vatican has followed “a policy of appeasement and compromise” in China, allowing government officials to exert control over the Church there.
The bishops of the government-approved “official” Catholic Church are “all slaves of the government,” the retired bishop of Hong Kong told Canada’s Catholic Register. He said that for years the government has sought to establish control over the Church and “had everything their way.”
Cardinal Zen said that the “official” Church in China is “actually schismatic without being named.” While the Pope has refrained from categorizing the Chinese bishops are schismatic, he said, “the Holy Father cannot command that Church.” The effective control of the “official” Church lies with the government, he said.
Although he has frequently criticized the Beijing regime for its offenses against religious freedom, Cardinal Zen had not previously leveled such direct criticism at the Vatican. "For a long time I have abstained from talking about the Holy See," he said. But now, he says, he has concluded that Vatican officials “should take the responsibility." "
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: Defender -
Feb. 21, 2013 6:40 PM ET USA
Pius XII knew what was going on in China and succeeding popes eased up on China and the communist government took full advantage of it. Cardinal Zen is correct in saying that the pope cannot command the Church in China and that the government does. They run the seminaries, pay the priests, require loyalty oaths, etc. The Jesuits and Maryknollers are among the leaders who have made nothing but excuses for the Patriotic Catholic Church while many underground Catholics have died for the Faith.
