Vatican official's message highlights tensions for Church in Shanghai

May 02, 2013

In a message of condolence on the death of Shanghai’s Bishop Aloysius Jin Luxian, the secretary of the Vatican’s Congregation for Evangelization has encouraged reconciliation and unity among China’s Catholics.

The Vatican official, Archbishop Savio Hon, recalled his own friendship with Bishop Jin, and his memories of the seminary in Sheshan where the late bishop served as rector. Archbishop Hon made a special reference to Bishop Ma Daqin, the Shanghai auxiliary, who is now viewed by the Vatican as Bishop Jin’s rightful successor. Bishop Ma Daqin is now living under house arrest, and has not been seen in public.

Archbishop Hon also called special attention to the annual May pilgrimage made by faithful Catholics to the shrine of Our Lady of Sheshan. With the death of Bishop Jin and the arrest of Bishop Ma, no Catholic bishop is available in Shanghai to lead this year’s pilgrimage. The feast of Our Lady of Sheshan, May 24, was established by Pope Benedict XVI as an annual day for special prayers for the unity of the Church in China.

 

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Further information:

• Msgr. Savio Hon's message on death of Msgr. Jin Luxian (AsiaNews)
• Memorial service for Msgr. Jin Luxian. Message from the Vatican and the Diocese of Hong Kong (AsiaNews)
• Death of key Chinese bishop points to struggle over successor (CWN, 4/29)