Hong Kong cardinal says Rome-Beijing close to accord
August 05, 2016
Cardinal John Tong of Hong Kong has said that the Vatican is close to an agreement with the Chinese government on the appointment of bishops for mainland China.
The cardinal's statement comes at a time when there is heavy speculation about an imminent agreement, based on quiet negotiations between the Vatican and Beijing.
Cardinal Tong wrote in a pastoral letter that the Vatican has succeeded in curbing Beijing’s fears of outside intervention in the country’s internal affairs, and the two sides should be able to reach a “mutual agreement” that will allow for the appointment of bishops recognized by both the Chinese government and the Holy See.
Cardinal Tong conceded that some Catholics in China are worried that the Vatican is conceding too much in its negotiations with Beijing. Bu the said that Pope Francis would never accept an agreement that would compromise the independence of the Church in China.
Cardinal Joseph Zen, the former bishop of Hong Kong, has complained that the talks between Rome and Beijing have been conducted secretly, so that Chinese Catholics—even those who have been involved in a committee formed to oversee the process- are not aware of what id under discussion.
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Posted by: Lucius49 -
Aug. 05, 2016 4:54 PM ET USA
If true, the Holy See with Sinopolitik has learned nothing from its disastrous Ostpolitik that injured the Church,with clerical collaborators subservient to the regime, betraying martyrs who suffered for the Faith under communism. Communist regimes stay on message which is anti-Church/Rome, anti-family,anti-Christian.Is the Holy See capable of realpolitik or is it projecting an imagined goodwill on communism rather than face reality, betraying once again the Church of the martyrs? Heed Card Zen!
