Showing posts with label Chinese Patriotic Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chinese Patriotic Church. Show all posts

Monday, June 22, 2020

Secret Agreement Between Red China and Vatican Has Failed


The zero balance of the secret agreement between the Vatican and the People's Republic of China. Pictured: Episcopal ordination of Monsignor Anthony Yao Shun, Bishop of Jining, in August 2019.

(Rome) The 2018 secret agreement between the Holy See and the Communist rulers of the People's Republic of China has "failed". The well-known Vaticanist Sandro Magister comes to this conclusion and explains why.

On June 7, Msgr. Celli said:The 22nd of September 2020 marks the second anniversary of the signing of the agreement between the Vatican and the Chinese state, the content of which is still being kept secret by both sides. However, some elements could be reconstructed: The focus of the agreement is the appointment of bishops. A new detail was revealed a few days ago. According to the Vatican diplomat Claudio Maria Celli, who was instrumental in creating the agreement, the agreement expires on September 22nd should it not be extended. In fact, the Vatican had always spoken of a “provisional” agreement.

In fact, on June 7th Msgr. Celli said:

"I think we should probably extend it for another year or two. The Holy See has not yet made a decision in this regard, which will then be communicated to the Chinese authorities. ”

The Vatican diplomat also spoke of a “not an easy path”. There were "knots left" that could not be loosened and "situations that are very considerable, I would say, make you worried".


Monday, May 4, 2020

Francis Has Done Nothing to Have Improved the Lot of Chinese Catholics

[Breitbart] The Vatican’s secret deal with the Chinese government signed on September 22, 2018, has done nothing to improve the religious freedom climate of Chinese Catholics.
Based on the findings of the just-released 2020 Annual Report from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), the situation in China continues to deteriorate for followers of the Roman Catholic faith.
USCIRF is making several “recommendations to enhance the U.S. government’s promotion of freedom of religion or belief abroad in 2020.” In its report, USCIRF recommends 14 countries to the State Department for designation as “countries of particular concern” (CPCs) because their governments engage in or tolerate “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations.”


AMDG

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Catholic Priests in China Feel Betrayed by the Vatican -- Facial Recognition Tracks Chinese People on New Year's

(Beijing) The authorities of the People's Republic of China expect a record number of lunar new year human movements to be celebrated in China. Mass exodus is systematically monitored by the regime for the first time using facial recognition systems.The Catholic priests of the communist empire are also monitored.
About 1.5 billion Chinese will participate in the largest mass movement in the world. Whether by train, plane, car or even on foot, most Chinese are still on the move for the next 35 days to celebrate the Chinese New Year, which is all about the pig. This superlative human movement started on March 21st and will last until March 1st. The Chinese traditionally return to their family homes to celebrate New Year's celebrations with relatives and friends to celebrate the New Year. There are no lack of bottlenecks in the means of transport and on the transport routes to transport such crowds.
The official New Year's date in China is February 5, 2019. Authorities are officially expecting 2.99 billion people. Thousands of additional trains and aircraft are used to deal with this. According to the authorities estimate, air traffic alone is expected to increase by 12 percent over the previous year.
New high-speed lines are being put into operation for the New Year, including the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong line.
For the first time, the new social credit system will also be used. Human movements are monitored and controlled with the most systematic facial recognition possible. The system uses a gigantic database and new artificial intelligence technologies.

Underground priests feel "betrayed" by the Vatican

Catholic priests are also being monitored in the People's Republic of China. To officially serve as a priest, you must join the regime approved Patriotic Association. AsiaNews has released the news of such an "official" priest. He reports that underground priests with whom he is associated, feel betrayed by the Vatican, especially since the agreement between Beijing and the Holy See. Despite the agreement, the Patriotic Association continues to work for a Chinese national church independent of the Holy See and dependent on the communist regime.

Only the Patriotic Association is recognized by the state

The priest therefore calls on the Vatican to discuss the role of the Patriotic Association in future talks with Beijing.
The reason for this message is an alarming development for the priest. Several priests of the faithful underground church with whom he is friends are about to give up their priesthood. They feel betrayed by the Vatican. Pope Francis declared after the signing of the Episcopal Agreement "The last word is mine," but the role of the Patriotic Association has not been clarified. The Patriotic Association "is a controlling body of the Chinese Communist Party and wants to build a self-sufficient church independent of the Holy See."
Pope Benedict XVI, in his 2007 Letter to Chinese Catholics, declared the Patriotic Association "incompatible with Catholic doctrine," said the priest. Pope Francis repeatedly emphasized that the letter of his predecessor is "still valid".
But the reality gives a different impression, said the priest. Francis draws on bishops and priests of the Patriotic Association, as a kind of "lesser evil." Membership in the Patriotic Association is still a prerequisite for being recognized by the state as a priest. Benedict XVI. stated, however, that membership of organizations and bodies that deny the indispensable principles of the faith and the ecclesial community is not permitted.
The Patriotic Association is doing just that, as the 60th anniversary of its founding has once again proved.
The priest tells of various underground priests who are so disappointed by recent developments that they feel abandoned and betrayed by the Vatican. Several people know that they have returned to their hometowns or want to return. They are "victims of the Sino-Vatican Agreement," said the priest.
"I'm afraid there are many priests throughout China who are going through this now: they were faithful and defended the Catholic faith, but suddenly they were betrayed by Rome. They can not rape their consciences and even less can they act against their faith. "
The priest's concern is that his confreres may lose their "missionary vocation". If the secular power knows their priesthood and they do not even get hold of the Church, "are they really like the crucified Christ, and can only cry with all their might, 'Father, why have you forsaken us?'"

Text: Andreas Becker / Giuseppe Nardi
Picture: AsiaNews
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Francis Appoints Retired,Elderly, Old Liberal Marxist to Hong Kong

Not Auxiliary Bishop Ha, but retired Cardinal Tong,  will intervene after the death of Bishop Yeung into diocesan ministry - Tong is considered the co-architect of the disputed September agreement between China and the Holy See

Vatican City (kath.net/KAP) Pope Francis has temporarily recalled 79-year-old Cardinal John Tong Hon (photo) from his retirement to the top of the diocese of Hong Kong. This was reported by the Vatican press service Asianews. Tong, who led the diocese from 2009 to 2017, until further notice replaces bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung, who died on Thursday at age 73. The Vatican itself did not announce the appointment. In any case, the custom is considered unusual because there is a suffragan bishop in Hong Kong. In the event of the death or resignation of the diocesan Bishop, this would normally be the responsibility of an interim diocesan leader.

Tong is considered the co-architect of September's controversial agreement between China and the Holy See on bishop appointments. Tong's predecessor Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun (86) is a determined opponent of rapprochement because he fears disadvantages for the Catholic underground Church in China.

The press service Asianews reiterated fears that Tong's appointment as Apostolic Administrator for Hong Kong would be in China's favor. According to other voices Tong was a neutral choice for a transitional period. This leaves Hong Kong Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing (59) a possible candidate for proper succession.

Auxiliary Bishop Ha, unlike Tong, is considered critical of the regime. He was involved, according to AsiaNews, for imprisoned Chinese bishops, vigils for the massacre at Tiananmen Square and for more democracy.

Pope Francis had again defended the signing of the Interim Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China on the appointment of bishops in China at the New Year's reception for the Diplomatic Corps on Monday. The agreement was the result of "a long and deliberate institutional dialogue that has succeeded in defining some stable elements of cooperation between the Apostolic See and the civil authorities". The official bishops, without a papal mandate, have now been reinstated in full ecclesial communion and "invited to work generously for the reconciliation of Chinese Catholics and for a new momentum in evangelization". A visible sign of this was the participation of two bishops of China in the Youth Synod. "It is to be hoped that the continuation of the contacts with regard to the implementation of the Closed Provisional Arrangement will help to resolve the outstanding issues and ensure the spaces necessary for the true enjoyment of religious freedom," said Pope Francis.

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Underground Bishops Expected to Subject Themselves to Communist Ones Favored by Pope as Sign of Obedience




“Gesture of obedience": Archbishop Celli with legitimate bishops of China, who have to resign in favor of bishops who belong to the state.

(Beijing) Two legitimate bishops were called to resign yesterday on behalf of Pope Francis. They have to give way to Patriotic bishops loyal to China’s Communist regime.

Underground Bishop Vincent Guo Xijin was the Bishop of Mindong, officially recognized by Rome. He was rejected by the Communist government in Beijing. At the insistence of Rome, he will now resign to make room for a bishop in the diocese, whose excommunication was lifted by Pope Francis last September. The repeal was a one-sided advance of Rome for the signing of the secret agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China on the same day. The content of the agreement is kept secret in agreement of both sides, but should relate to episcopal appointments.

Pope Francis abolished the excommunication of seven bishops whose episcopal ordination had been ordered by the communist government without the consent of Rome. Part of the agreement seems to be that not only the excommunication should be repealed, but all previously bishops of Rome as diocesan bishops must be used and recognized. In order to make this possible, the Vatican negotiators urged legitimate bishops in the fall of 2017 to renounce their offices. They must subordinate themselves in rank to the bishops who belong to the state and become their suffragan bishops.

Bishop Vincent Guo Xijin was also urged to do so. In the past two years alone, he was arrested twice and taken to an unknown location. A popular method in the People's Republic of China is to exert pressure, intimidate, or subject regime opponents to re-education.

His place as Diocesan Bishop of Mindong will be occupied by Vincent Zhan Silu. This became known yesterday after Bishop Guo gathered his priests in the afternoon to explain the situation to them.

Bishop Guo, who will be Auxiliary Bishop of Mindong in the future, had just returned from a place near Beijing. Curial Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, the head of the Vatican delegation that had prepared the agreement and signed it on behalf of the Pope, had sent him there.

Archbishop Celli handed Bishop Guo a letter from Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Prefect of Propaganda Fide. In it they asked him to cede the leadership of the diocese to Zhan Silu. Archbishop Celli emphasized to the bishop that Pope Francis awaits his resignation as a "gesture of obedience". It is a "sacrifice for the overall situation of the Chinese Church,” which he has to bring into being.

The news, AsiaNews said, has "saddened" many priests and believers. Until now it was the case that an episcopal bishop, reconciled to Rome and recognized by the Holy See, subordinated himself to the Underground Bishop and became its Auxiliary Bishop. "Now the opposite is the case," says AsiaNews.

In the diocese of Mindong, the vast majority of the faithful and the priests belong to the Underground Church. The Natuonal Patriotic Association has counted at best ten percent of the faithful and 20 percent of the priests. Thanks to the Vatican-Chinese agreement, the state-owned organization is now also in control of the underground church.

The question of who benefits from the agreement does not have to be asked. Cardinal Joseph Zen, emeritus bishop of Hong Kong and gray eminence of the Underground Church said in September. It is the government in Beijing.

Bishop Peter Zhuang Jianjian was also summoned to meet Archbishop Celli. He too will resign "as a papal wish" as Diocesan Bishop of Shantou. His place will be taken over by Bishop Joseph Huang Bingzhang.

The paths approved by Rome  are still a stumbling block for those affected. In order for the legitimate bishops, after their resignation, to become auxiliary bishops of their previous dioceses, they need the approval of the communist government and the bishops' council. They depend on those from whom they have so far been able to stay away from great sacrifices but successfully.

Even before signing, Cardinal Zen said that the Vatican would hand over the faithful underground church to the regime.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Picture: AsiaNews
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

The Chinese Patriotic Church and the Heresy of Americanism

Edit: it’s wonderful that others are noticing and pointing out, the similarity between the Chinese Patriotic Church which is hostile to Rome, the US Catholic Bishops and the “phantom heresy” Americanism.  Americanism was called the phantom heresy, because all the Bishops in the United States told the Nuncio they didn’t have any problems with it, with a wink.


 No one should doubt that the institutional hostility to Michael Voris lies primarily with the fact that he points these things out rather than that he is “uncharitable”,  “wears a toupee”,  or is “strident”.  We’ve never seen him strident and we sometimes think he’s too soft on people who’ll never give him credit for it anyway.  Really, it’s just an attempt to discredit one of the few voices in the wilderness calling attention to some serious problems in the modern Church.


It’s kind of like some of the crusaders for niceness attacking Rorate Caeli lately.  They’ve never been anything but cautious and measured.  What they reported about Pope Francis in his Diocese in Buenos Aires, among other things, was 100% true.


Ultimately, this just boils down to the official "Patriotic” Catholics attacking the Catholics who are faithful.  You can also see wedges being driving between faithful Catholics and so-called Traditionalist Catholics too, by the way.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Vatican Excommunicates Patriotic Chinese Bishops



(Vatikan/Peking) At the request of numerous Chinese Faithful, and above all the Catholic underground Church, the Holy See has published a clarification that the unauthorized newly consecrated, regime-friendly Bishops of the People's Republic of China, as well as the Bishops who consecrated them, are excommunicated with all of the consequences that follow from that.

The explanation comes from the Papal Adviser for Legislative Texts.
The Holy See is pleading with the stricken Bishops:

-to make a public gesture of penitence

-that they do not celebrate Holy Mass or receive Holy Communion

-that they neither receive nor distribute the Sacraments

-that they give up the direction of their Dicoese.

These requirements are the "necessary medicine for healing", to make possible the resettling of the Catholic Church. After the receiving many uncustomary outcries, the Holy See has taken steps with this warning to clarify the confusing situation in the People's Republic of China. The Papal Adviser for Legislative Texts explained the reason for the proceedings as the illegal consecration by the Communist regime's Bishops without a Papal Mandate. Even though the punishment is affecting the relevant parties, there is still the possibility for the ecclesiastical punishments to be withdrawn and return to reconciliation with the Church.

The unauthorized consecrations occurred on 20. November 2010 in Chengde. The explanation was also urgent because of an announcement by the Communist Regime's willingness to conduct more unauthorized Episcopal Consecrations. The complete wording of the explanation was published in Osservatore Romano on the 11th of June 2011 some days before, after which the Chinese Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Msgr Xaver Hon had taken an adverse position to the Holy See and Peking intermixing authority in the Episcopal Consecrations. He encouraged Chinese Bishops to have no fear, that the government proposals will receive a firm rebuttal.

The Papal Adviser clearly explained that the unauthorized Consecration of Bishops, that is to say without the approval of the Pope, represents a profound violation of the Church's Law. It is a "punishable act against Catholic teaching". The Adviser cited as well the Second Vatican Council as well as other Documents, in which he recalled that also concern the question of the Eastern Churches.

The Declaration is in any case very clear that the punishable act will be directed against the consecrated Bishops as well as those who offered the consecration. All those named are fall under the condemnation latae sententiae. This doesn't impose an expressed condemnation at the end of a canonical procedure. The excommunication itself will have happened automatically according to itself.

It is expressly mentioned in the declaration that Church Law (Canon 1324, Paragraph 3) "ameliorates" the circumstances if known (excepting for compulsion, ignorance …). Should such be given, the excommunication will not be automatic. This part of the declaration falls above all upon the Bishops standing in unity with Rome, who have participated in the unauthorized consecrations. Accordingly there were reports surrounding the event, that at least some of them were ordered by the State Police or abducted to force their participation. For that reason the Holy See is allowing some room to allow those participating to make the "necessary penance" and take steps, to deport this outrage from the world.

Each, who falls under Excommunication, "must" refrain from the following things:

1) celebrating Holy Mass or concelebrating or participating in any other liturgical event;

2) giving or receiving the Sacraments and Sacramentals;

3) participating in various functions and tasks of Church direction.

In other words: the bishop who received the unauthorized consecration and the Bishops, who participated in the unauthorized consecration or were present, may neither celebrate Holy Mass, nor dispense Sacraments or receive the same. Additionally the Bishops concerned may not participate in the direction or administration Episcopal office in any way.

Should they do any of the following things, they commit a Sacrilege.

The declaration does not hesitate to make clear that the strictures and punishments are "medicine", part of a healing process of sorrow, penance and return and with that to encourage healing and reconciliation.

Translation from Katholisches...

Link to Asia News...

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Swiss Bishop Fires Seminary Rector over Disagreement on Old Mass. Swiss Bishop Goes to Congregation of Bishops.

Editor: The traditional friendly Bishop of Chur is attempting to defend his position against the counter diocese, the bureaucratic councils that control the Church tax. He's going to Rome to defend the firing of a controversial his seminary rector. According to kreuz.net, one of the flash points between the two Bishops was the Old Mass. +Huonder is a strong advocate for the Mass of All Ages.

Will the Bishop Himself Resign?

The explosion of the Chur resignation has reached the Congregation of Bishops.  There one learns: The slightest problems make Bishops who can't stop the decline.

(kreuz.net) Yesterday morning Bishop Vitus Huonder (68) of Chur directed comments to his fellow bishops, priests, deacons and pastoral assistants in an e-mail.

The letter stands in connection with the most recent resignation of the Rector of the Chur Seminary and General Vicar for the Canton of Graubünden. 

"I sense there is great sense of dismay regarding the events of the last days in the entire Diocese"  -- explained the Bishop:  "I agree with that at this point too".

There have been different levels of "injury" that have taken place in the last months which had at once resulted in dismissal.
 
Msgr Huonder maintains that the Diocesan leadership has not succeeded in giving a "picture of unity" in this situation.

The Bishop did not mince words:  "In the current hour I ask myself, what is to be done."

He has already contacted the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Francesco Canalini (74) and asked for advice.

He has even received an appointment in Rome:

"I will then have the opportunity to come to together with the Prefect of the Bishops Congregation in order to discuss the situation."

Msgr Huonder has pointed out that this is "not for the expediency" of the Chur "Old Liberal" priest council or the not more precisely "Council of Lay Female Theologettes, Lay Theologians and Deacons" to use this as an opportunity to engage in a palaver.

He wants to solicit the Roman Council in this case:

"I wanted to consult antecedently with the Congregation for Clergy about what I have undertaken in the given circumstances and will make known then about any further actions."

In conclusion he cited a word from Pope John Paul II († 2005)from his book, "Memory and Identity":

"What does forgiveness mean, if it does not call on the good which is greater than any evil."

Msgr Huonder invites everyone, "to see the good that is always and manifold and to appreciate the
the interconnectedness."

Link to article, kreuz.net, here...

Friday, December 10, 2010

China: Communist Named to Vice Regent: 100 Seminarians in a Hunger Strike

Hard Core
Editor: This article appeared about two weeks ago, this situation is still ongoing, will check for more information and join these brave souls in their resistance to Communism.

(Peking)All 100 Seminarians of the seminary in the Chinese province of Hebei are protesting against the Official of the State Commission for Ethnic and Religious Affairs in the Province.  For 19 Days the Priests are in a hunger strike with which they are protesting the appointment of a Communist to the Vice Regency of the Seminary.   The Seminarians fear that the Communist regime is going to interfere with the religious education and spiritual values by subordinating and making it docile to outside political influence.

The Seminarians are protesting in choir robes and have displayed on signs that they wish the cancellation of the appointment of Tang Zhaojun as Vice Regent.

"We protest are protesting before the Government Administration because this situation is no longer acceptable.  The demonstration is an initiative exclusively of the students.  This decision was not instigated by any priest or bishop,"  explained Asia News of the Seminarians.

During the "silence protest" there were two discussions between State Functionaries and the Seminarians.  An agreement cant in any case hasn't been reached.  The students have stuck to a written document, with which they demand the cancellation of the appointment of a Communist Political Commissar.

Tang Zhaojun was  named Vice Regent on 11. November. It was then that the decision was made by the students to protest.  Because the government was not prepared to reject the appointment, this  prompted the Seminarians to begin their hunger strike after  19 Days.

After the first days of the hunger strike the standing Administrative Director of the Seminary gave the Seminarians a verbal directive, to consent to the appointment.  On this point a delegation of the Prelates of the Diocese came to an agreement with the authorities.  The delegation however didn't come to an agreue.

ement because the prelates were abducted by the secret police and forced to participate in the illicit episcopal consecration of Chengde on the 20th of November.  So the question is still unclear.  "Till today we haven't received any news that the appointment has been withdrawn",  said a Seminarian to Asianews.  For that reason, the hunger strike will continue.

(Asianews/Giuseppe Nardi, Bild. Asianews)

Link to original from German, katholisches.info...

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Chinese bishops deported to attend Patriotic Assembly

CHINA – VATICAN

by W. Zhicheng - Z. Yuan
The gathering, incompatible with the faith of Catholics, aims to elect the Presidents of the Patriotic Association and the Council of Bishops. Some bishops have gone into hiding to avoid having to participate, while others have been taken against their will. The bishop of Hengshui, seized and torn from the safe cover of the faithful, dragged to Beijing.

Beijing (AsiaNews) - AsiaNews sources say that dozens of bishops of the official Church have been forcibly deported to the capital to ensure their participation at the Assembly of representatives of Chinese Catholics, which the pope considers incompatible with Catholic faith.

The Assembly opened today in Beijing on a low profileand is being shrouded in secrecy: it is impossible to contact anyone and not even Xinhua is reporting on the event. The meeting should lead to the election of the national president of the Patriotic Association and president of the council of Chinese bishops, two bodies that are unacceptable to the Catholic Church because they aim to build a separate Church, detached from the pope. "It's just an election of a new round of leadership," said Liu Bainian, vice president and chairman of the PA Assembly. In fact, the gathering is the "sovereign body" of the official Chinese church in which bishops are a minority among Catholics and government representatives. Ecclesial decisions are made on the basis of rigged elections. Ahead of today's meeting, Liu Bainian had sent all participants clear indications of what to do and what to vote.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Vatican Approves New Bishop of Yuncheng

The eighth bishop ordained this year with the approval of the Holy See and recognition of Beijing. All ordaining bishops are in communion with the Holy See. The priorities of the newly-ordained: formation of priests and laity to evangelize. In October, a planned retreat with all the priests of the diocese. The first evangelization of Yuncheng dates to late Ming Dynasty, by the Italian Jesuits Alenia and Vagnone.

Yuncheng (AsiaNews) – Mgr. Peter Wu Junwei, 47, has become the new Bishop of Yuncheng (Shanxi). Bishop Wu was the eighth Chinese bishop ordained this year, with the approval of the Holy See and the recognition of the Beijing government.

The ordination ceremony was held today, the feast of St. Matthew, in the Cathedral. It was attended by over 2000 faithful, 144 priests and 95 nuns from Shanxi, Beijing, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Hubei.

The presiding bishop was Mgr. Huo Cheng of Fenyang, also concelebrating: Mgr. Joseph Li Shan of Beijing, the coadjutor bishop of Taiyuan, Mgr. Paul Meng Ningyou (ordained 5 days ago) Mgr. John Baptist Yang Xiaoting of Yanan (ordained in July). All bishops in communion with the Holy See.

Link to rest of article, Asia News...

The frank appraisal by the Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong, here.

Friday, September 3, 2010

China-Holy See: the mirage and religious freedom for the official and underground church

Rome (AsiaNews) - In recent months, since April until today, the Church in China has celebrated the ordination of six new bishops, as well as the official installation of a previously ordained bishop who had not been recognised by the government. What has been surprising is that all candidates were approved by the Holy See and recognized by Beijing. But even more surprising is that this wave of new Episcopal ordinations comes in the wake of two lean years, i.e. during which there were no consecrations despite the fact that there were about 40 dioceses of the official Church with octogenarian pastors, who needed replacement, or indeed vacant sees.

The newly ordained (as well as the officially installed bishop) - of which AsiaNews gave immediate news - are the pastors of Bameng (Inner Mongolia), Hohhot (Inner Mongolia), Haimen (Jiangsu) Xiamen (Fujian); Sanyuan (Shaanxi), Taizhou ( Zhejiang), Yulin (Yanan, Shaanxi).

Bishops in communion with the Holy See attended all of the ordinations, with the exception of that of Bameng. Instead in Bameng, the patriotic bishop Ma Yinglin, illegally ordained in 2006, attended the celebration. He is considered the heir to Anthony Liu Bainian, vice chairman of the Patriotic Association, nicknamed the "Pope" of the official Church because of his power over the finance and bishops of the Church.

Read further...

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Bishop Yao Liang, 87, Imprisoned in China for Loyalty to the Vatican, Dies

This is another great article by the usually very Marxist New York Times. The new owner of the paper, or the largest shareholder, who kept the paper from bankruptcy might be pro-immigration, but he might also pushign this paper to be more favoreable to the Church as well. This article owns that the Chicoms are persecuting the Catholic Church and it owns the heroic resistance of a saintly Bishop. Here's a life worth celebrating.

Published: January 5, 2010

BEIJING — Leo Yao Liang, a Roman Catholic bishop who spent 28 years in Chinese prisons during Mao’s rule for his refusal to renounce his allegiance to the Vatican, died on Dec. 30 in Xiwanzi, a town in north China’s Hebei Province.

Bishop Yao was 87 and had been ill with a severe cold for about two weeks before his death, according to Song Feng, the president of the Catholic Association of Xiwanzi Church.

The Cardinal Kung Foundation, which is based in Connecticut and advocates religious freedom for Catholics in China, stated on its Web site that the report of Bishop Yao’s death had apparently been delayed because Chinese authorities sought to withhold the news.

Short and stout, with a shock of white hair and a booming voice, Bishop Yao presided almost up to his death over daily open-air Masses that drew hundreds of worshipers, and Sunday Masses that often attracted a thousand people. [!] The Chinese authorities forbade him to carry out his administrative duties as bishop but did not overtly interfere with his clerical activities.

China’s government does not recognize the Roman Catholic Church or its bishops. Instead, it promotes a government-affiliated faith, the Patriotic Catholic Association. But millions of Chinese are believed to remain loyal to the Vatican and attend so-called underground churches like those that Bishop Yao led. There are reported to be 15,000 Catholic worshipers in Xiwanzi diocese, where he was secretly made an auxiliary bishop in 2002.

For years after his release from prison in 1984, Mr. Song said, Bishop Yao urged his parishioners to follow a course of quiet but steadfast opposition both to the Patriotic Catholic Association and to government restrictions on their right to worship. But after Pope Benedict XVI made improved relations between the Vatican and Beijing a priority, he said, Bishop Yao began working to repair relations with the government.

The mourners at his weeklong funeral, which concludes with his burial on Wednesday, have included a number of local government officials, Mr. Song said.

Yao Liang was born in Hebei in 1923 and became a priest in 1946, according to the Kung Foundation. But after the Communist Party took power in 1949, Catholicism was outlawed, and Bishop Yao’s religious work became more and more circumscribed. In 1956 the government sent him to a labor camp, and in 1958 he was sentenced to prison for life after refusing to abandon his allegiance to the Vatican.

Bishop Yao said little about his 28 years of imprisonment.

“Only sometimes he would complain to close friends about the unspeakable experience,” Mr. Song said. “He personally witnessed people being killed by the P.L.A.” — the People’s Liberation Army — “when he was taken to prison, and he was very traumatized.”

His 1984 release came as the Chinese government relaxed many of the restrictions of the Mao era. While many Catholic priests were still persecuted and Catholicism was strongly discouraged, worshipers were tacitly allowed to congregate at underground churches.

Mr. Song said that Bishop Yao was assigned by the government to be the pastor at a remote rural church in a mountainous area 25 miles from Xiwanzi. In 1997 he came to Xiwanzi, a town of about 7,000 people about 160 miles north of Beijing, close to the border with inner Mongolia.

Even at an advanced age, his problems with the government did not end. In 2006 the authorities ordered Mr. Yao to spend two and a half years in isolation from outsiders, studying Chinese religious laws, after he was held responsible for two conflicts between the government and underground churches.

Bishop Yao was directly involved in the first incident, in which worshipers built a new Catholic church and staffed it with priests not certified by the government, Mr. Song said. But he had no role in the second, in which angry Catholics laid siege to local government offices for three days during a dispute with a Patriotic Catholic organization.

Bishop Yao’s death, not quite a year after he was released from detention, leaves mainland China with 94 Vatican-approved bishops. The authorities are reported to have stepped up security for his burial in the Xiwanzi church graveyard, a ceremony that is expected to attract thousands despite record snows in the area.