Vatican praises Chinese clerics, urges continued work toward unity

July 29, 2010

The leaders of the Congregation for Evangelization has sent a special message to Catholic bishops priests in China, thanking them for their service and acknowledging “how some of you suffered in the recent past because of your loyalty to the Holy See.”

The letter to Chinese clerics—signed by Cardinal Ivan Dias and Archbishop Robert Sarah, the prefect and secretary, respectively, of the Congregation for Evangelization—lauds the “exemplary and courageous loyalty” of Catholic priests in China.

Citing the wishes of Pope Benedict XVI for unity among Chinese Catholics, to overcome divisions between the “underground” and “official” Catholic communities, the letter says that the quest for that unity is an “important challenge you are already tackling.” The Vatican message says that Satan’s work always aims to promote “the internal division of the ecclesial community,” whereas unity is the wish and the work of Jesus Christ.

The letter from the Congregation for Evangelization was sent to Chinese priests on July 5, and made public by the Fides news service on July 29. It was timed for the conclusion of the Year for Priests.

 

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Further information:

• Letter from Cardinal Dias to Chinese bishops and priests (VIS)
• Cardinal Dias Praises Courageous Loyalty of China’s Bishops and Priests (Vatican Radio)