Religious, Not Diplomatic: Holy See Reassures Taiwan over Reported Renewal of Vatican’s Bishop Appointment Pact with China
The Vatican has recently been reported to have renewed the agreement on bishop appointment it signed with China in 2018, due to expire this year. Neither the Vatican nor Beijing has confirmed the reports, while Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it had been closely following the Vatican’s interaction with China and had maintained close ties with the Holy See. Taiwan had also been reassured by the Vatican that there was nothing to worry about the agreement’s being extended, which the Holy See claimed to be a religious, not diplomatic, matter.
A report by Reuters quoted a senior Vatican source as saying on 14 September that Pope Francis had signed an agreement to extend the pact for two years. The Vatican’s state secretary Pietro Parolin said on the same day that the Holy See intended to renew the pact and believed it would be renewed. This was the first time in recent years that the Vatican has openly discussed its position on renewing the pact.
In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press briefing that China’s relations with the Vatican had been improving and that China hoped to keep in touch with the Holy See for further development of their relations.
Source: Stand News #Sep15
#China #Vatican #Taiwan #PopeFrancis #Bishop #Agreement #Diplomacy
https://tinyurl.com/yx8l8vgk
The Vatican has recently been reported to have renewed the agreement on bishop appointment it signed with China in 2018, due to expire this year. Neither the Vatican nor Beijing has confirmed the reports, while Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it had been closely following the Vatican’s interaction with China and had maintained close ties with the Holy See. Taiwan had also been reassured by the Vatican that there was nothing to worry about the agreement’s being extended, which the Holy See claimed to be a religious, not diplomatic, matter.
A report by Reuters quoted a senior Vatican source as saying on 14 September that Pope Francis had signed an agreement to extend the pact for two years. The Vatican’s state secretary Pietro Parolin said on the same day that the Holy See intended to renew the pact and believed it would be renewed. This was the first time in recent years that the Vatican has openly discussed its position on renewing the pact.
In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press briefing that China’s relations with the Vatican had been improving and that China hoped to keep in touch with the Holy See for further development of their relations.
Source: Stand News #Sep15
#China #Vatican #Taiwan #PopeFrancis #Bishop #Agreement #Diplomacy
https://tinyurl.com/yx8l8vgk
Pompeo Objected to the Sino-Vatican Agreement. Pope Francis Refused to Meet Pompeo
An Italian media reported the refusal of Pope Francis to meet with the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, claiming to fear of affecting the upcoming U.S. elections. This act may threaten to strain relations between the United States and the Vatican.
Pompeo's European trip started on Sunday with a stop at the Vatican, where he would reportedly meet the pope with an objection to the renewal of the Vatican's provisional agreement with China on the appointment of bishops (The 2018 Holy See-China Agreement), which expires next month. He wrote to Catholic journals earlier and posted a series of tweets arguing that the Vatican should not extend the agreement to avoid endangering its moral authority.
The Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported last week that the pope refused to meet with Pompeo because of the upcoming U.S. elections but that Pompeo would still meet with the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, Paul Gallagher. However, there might have another reason that Pompeo urged the Vatican to abandon the agreement with China to extend the appointment of bishops. A State Department official also said that Pompeo would use his visit to Europe to discuss various issues with the Vatican, including concerns about religious freedom in China, such as Beijing's oppression of religious minorities and the plight of Chinese Catholics. He was expected to mention related issues in the forum speech.
#US #Vatican #China #Pompeo #thePope #PopeFrancis #PaulGallagher #PompeoEuropeTrip #2018HolySeeChinaAgreement #VaticanChinaRelation
Source: Apple Daily #Sep28
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20200928/UMPXV4G4IFG6VM2IIF3NEDYGTQ/
An Italian media reported the refusal of Pope Francis to meet with the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, claiming to fear of affecting the upcoming U.S. elections. This act may threaten to strain relations between the United States and the Vatican.
Pompeo's European trip started on Sunday with a stop at the Vatican, where he would reportedly meet the pope with an objection to the renewal of the Vatican's provisional agreement with China on the appointment of bishops (The 2018 Holy See-China Agreement), which expires next month. He wrote to Catholic journals earlier and posted a series of tweets arguing that the Vatican should not extend the agreement to avoid endangering its moral authority.
The Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported last week that the pope refused to meet with Pompeo because of the upcoming U.S. elections but that Pompeo would still meet with the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, Paul Gallagher. However, there might have another reason that Pompeo urged the Vatican to abandon the agreement with China to extend the appointment of bishops. A State Department official also said that Pompeo would use his visit to Europe to discuss various issues with the Vatican, including concerns about religious freedom in China, such as Beijing's oppression of religious minorities and the plight of Chinese Catholics. He was expected to mention related issues in the forum speech.
#US #Vatican #China #Pompeo #thePope #PopeFrancis #PaulGallagher #PompeoEuropeTrip #2018HolySeeChinaAgreement #VaticanChinaRelation
Source: Apple Daily #Sep28
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20200928/UMPXV4G4IFG6VM2IIF3NEDYGTQ/
#Vatican #CCP
Cardinal Zen criticizes the lack of transparency over the Vatican’s handling of China: Cardinal Zen on China: ‘There is Nothing More to Do Other Than Prayer’
By National Catholic Register #2Oct2020
//Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun returned to Hong Kong from Rome Sunday, after seeking a meeting with Pope Francis.
The purpose for the trip, he told the Register, was primarily to advocate for the elevation and installation of a new bishop successor in a city facing ongoing protests and a strong-armed response from the Chinese Communist Party-backed regional government.
The 88-year old bishop emeritus of Hong Kong told the Register the visit is likely his last. “I do not believe I will return again,” he said. “My legs do not work so well, now, for these long trips.”
...He explained his anxiety that a bishop “who is trusted by the people” be installed as soon as possible, as the faithful in both Hong Kong and China grow increasingly wary of what is being seen as political posturing by the Vatican.
“The Vatican seems to be guessing the mind of Beijing — always seeking to anticipate what Beijing will do, always appeasing. It seems they are afraid to nominate Bishop Ha (Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing) as doing so may offend Beijing,” said the cardinal.
Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing is a current auxiliary bishop of the diocese. He has publicly supported human rights protesters in Hong Kong and is thus perceived by some to be antagonistic to Beijing.
... Seeing the continued delay from the Vatican, the conflicts in Hong Kong and the continued persecution in China, the Register asked Cardinal Zen what the Western world could do to aid him.
“Nothing. I’ve done more than I can, and there is nothing more to do other than prayer,” said the cardinal. “If tomorrow, the Vatican chooses this bishop, blessed by Beijing — if they appoint this bad bishop for Hong Kong, my job is finished. I will choose to disappear.”
Continued Cardinal Zen, “My last act of protest will be to do just that, to now disappear with everyone knowing why. I put this in my last will and testament — that my bones shall not be placed in the cathedral, I do not want to be buried with such men. I will be buried in a simple cemetery with what remains of the faithful people of God.”//
Read full article:
https://www.ncregister.com/interview/cardinal-zen-on-china-there-is-nothing-more-to-do-other-than-prayer
#Vatican #JosephZen #Pope
Cardinal Zen criticizes the lack of transparency over the Vatican’s handling of China: Cardinal Zen on China: ‘There is Nothing More to Do Other Than Prayer’
By National Catholic Register #2Oct2020
//Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun returned to Hong Kong from Rome Sunday, after seeking a meeting with Pope Francis.
The purpose for the trip, he told the Register, was primarily to advocate for the elevation and installation of a new bishop successor in a city facing ongoing protests and a strong-armed response from the Chinese Communist Party-backed regional government.
The 88-year old bishop emeritus of Hong Kong told the Register the visit is likely his last. “I do not believe I will return again,” he said. “My legs do not work so well, now, for these long trips.”
...He explained his anxiety that a bishop “who is trusted by the people” be installed as soon as possible, as the faithful in both Hong Kong and China grow increasingly wary of what is being seen as political posturing by the Vatican.
“The Vatican seems to be guessing the mind of Beijing — always seeking to anticipate what Beijing will do, always appeasing. It seems they are afraid to nominate Bishop Ha (Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing) as doing so may offend Beijing,” said the cardinal.
Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing is a current auxiliary bishop of the diocese. He has publicly supported human rights protesters in Hong Kong and is thus perceived by some to be antagonistic to Beijing.
... Seeing the continued delay from the Vatican, the conflicts in Hong Kong and the continued persecution in China, the Register asked Cardinal Zen what the Western world could do to aid him.
“Nothing. I’ve done more than I can, and there is nothing more to do other than prayer,” said the cardinal. “If tomorrow, the Vatican chooses this bishop, blessed by Beijing — if they appoint this bad bishop for Hong Kong, my job is finished. I will choose to disappear.”
Continued Cardinal Zen, “My last act of protest will be to do just that, to now disappear with everyone knowing why. I put this in my last will and testament — that my bones shall not be placed in the cathedral, I do not want to be buried with such men. I will be buried in a simple cemetery with what remains of the faithful people of God.”//
Read full article:
https://www.ncregister.com/interview/cardinal-zen-on-china-there-is-nothing-more-to-do-other-than-prayer
#Vatican #JosephZen #Pope
NCR
Cardinal Zen on China: ‘There is Nothing More to Do Other Than Prayer’
Cardinal Zen has criticized the lack of transparency over the Vatican’s handling of China.
Pompeo Said China Has the Most Suppressed Religious Freedom
During the visit to Rome, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the seriousness of religious freedom suppression in China today was not comparable to other places. He also called on the Vatican to join the United States in condemning China's violation of religious freedom.
During a symposium at the U.S. Embassy in the Vatican, Pompeo said the Chinese Communist Party desired to eliminate the lamp of freedom on a horrifying scale. The suppression of every religious group in China included Protestantism family-churches, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners, and Catholics.
The Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States Paul Gallagher attended the conference but did not mention China in his speech. He criticised some western people for advocating gender ideology and violating religious freedom.
Source: RTHK #Sep30
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1552521-20200930.htm
#MikePompeo #USSecretaryOfState #PaulGallagher #Vatican #China #ReligiousFreedomInChina #ReligiousFreedomSuppression
During the visit to Rome, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the seriousness of religious freedom suppression in China today was not comparable to other places. He also called on the Vatican to join the United States in condemning China's violation of religious freedom.
During a symposium at the U.S. Embassy in the Vatican, Pompeo said the Chinese Communist Party desired to eliminate the lamp of freedom on a horrifying scale. The suppression of every religious group in China included Protestantism family-churches, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners, and Catholics.
The Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States Paul Gallagher attended the conference but did not mention China in his speech. He criticised some western people for advocating gender ideology and violating religious freedom.
Source: RTHK #Sep30
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1552521-20200930.htm
#MikePompeo #USSecretaryOfState #PaulGallagher #Vatican #China #ReligiousFreedomInChina #ReligiousFreedomSuppression
news.rthk.hk
蓬佩奧指無一地方打壓宗教自由比今日中國更嚴重
正在羅馬訪問的美國國務卿蓬佩奧表示，無一個地方打壓宗教自由，比今日中國的現況更嚴重，呼籲梵蒂岡與美國一同譴責中國侵犯宗教自由的行為。 蓬佩奧在美國駐梵蒂岡大使館舉辦的座談會上，指中共期望以驚人的規模撲滅自由之燈，打壓中國每個宗教團體，新教家庭教堂、藏傳佛教徒、法輪功奉獻者等，天主教徒亦不能倖免。 出席會議的梵蒂岡外長加拉格爾發言時，未有提及中國，只是批評西方有人鼓吹性別意識形態，侵犯宗教自由。 教廷為準備延續中梵主教任命協議辯護，強調協議不涉及政治或外交。加拉格爾強調，教廷在所有外交活動中，都強調對話及相互尊重的重要性。…
#PoliticalOppression #Vatican #Spy
The Great Spy
CCP Spied on the Vatican and Targeted Catholic Organisations ahead of the renewal of the landmark 2018 China-Vatican provisional agreement.
Source: https://www.recordedfuture.com/reddelta-targets-catholic-organizations/
The Great Spy
CCP Spied on the Vatican and Targeted Catholic Organisations ahead of the renewal of the landmark 2018 China-Vatican provisional agreement.
Source: https://www.recordedfuture.com/reddelta-targets-catholic-organizations/
Pompeo to Visit the Vatican, US Department of State Said this Visit would Discuss China-Vatican Agreement
The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, will be visiting Europe next week, including the Vatican. He has publicly opposed the Holy See renewing the Chinese-Vatican Agreement. Officials revealed that Pompeo is meeting senior officials of the Holy See for further discussion during the visit.
The US Department of State has stated Pompeo would visit several European countries, including Greece, Italy, Vatican, and Croatia, between September 27 and October 2. During his stay in the Vatican, he will be participating in the International Forum on Religious Freedom on September 30. The Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and the Vatican Foreign Minister will also attend the event.
Last week, Pompeo publicly opposed the renewal of the Interim Agreement for the Appointment of Bishops last, which is due to be discussed between China and the Vatican next month. Pompeo stated that this agreement “would endanger the moral authority of the Holy See”. This agreement allows China to narrow a list of potential Popes, which is then handed to the Vatican for their decision to appoint or dismiss the potential candidates. Reports suggested that Pompeo’s remarks dissatisfied the senior officials of the Holy See.
#US #Vatican #China #Pompeo #HolySee #ReligiousFreedom #SinoVaticanAgreement #MoralAuthority
Source: Apple Daily #Sept26
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20200926/IQPZSHZHTBDCHIQJH4434FLT5E/
The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, will be visiting Europe next week, including the Vatican. He has publicly opposed the Holy See renewing the Chinese-Vatican Agreement. Officials revealed that Pompeo is meeting senior officials of the Holy See for further discussion during the visit.
The US Department of State has stated Pompeo would visit several European countries, including Greece, Italy, Vatican, and Croatia, between September 27 and October 2. During his stay in the Vatican, he will be participating in the International Forum on Religious Freedom on September 30. The Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and the Vatican Foreign Minister will also attend the event.
Last week, Pompeo publicly opposed the renewal of the Interim Agreement for the Appointment of Bishops last, which is due to be discussed between China and the Vatican next month. Pompeo stated that this agreement “would endanger the moral authority of the Holy See”. This agreement allows China to narrow a list of potential Popes, which is then handed to the Vatican for their decision to appoint or dismiss the potential candidates. Reports suggested that Pompeo’s remarks dissatisfied the senior officials of the Holy See.
#US #Vatican #China #Pompeo #HolySee #ReligiousFreedom #SinoVaticanAgreement #MoralAuthority
Source: Apple Daily #Sept26
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20200926/IQPZSHZHTBDCHIQJH4434FLT5E/
Pope Francis Mentions the Prosecution of Xinjiang Uyghurs
The Chinese government sets up “Re-education Camps” in Xinjiang in recent years with masses detention of Uyghurs, drawing global attention to humanitarian issues. After years of demands from human rights defenders, Pope Francis firstly said the Xinjiang Uyghurs as “persecuted” people in his new book – Let Us Dream: The Path to A Better Future.
He mentioned Xinjiang Uyghurs in a chapter on the persecution of Christians in Islamic countries, “I occasionally think of the persecuted: Rohingya, poor Uyghurs and Yazidi.” Francis did mention about Rohingya fleeing Myanmar and Yazidi who is being killed in Islamic countries. This is his first time mentioned Uyghurs.
The United States Secretary of State Pompeo earlier criticized China on suppressing the Uyghurs in Xinjiang at the Vatican meeting. Yet, the Vatican has never spoken out on related issues. Some commentators think that the Vatican did not speak out for Uyghurs earlier to avoid affecting Sino-Vatican contract renewal negotiation.
Source from: The Stand News #Nov24
https://bit.ly/37xKKmZ
#Vatican #Pope #Francis #China #Pompeo #Uyghurs #Xinjiang #humanrights #prosecution #IslamicCountry
The Chinese government sets up “Re-education Camps” in Xinjiang in recent years with masses detention of Uyghurs, drawing global attention to humanitarian issues. After years of demands from human rights defenders, Pope Francis firstly said the Xinjiang Uyghurs as “persecuted” people in his new book – Let Us Dream: The Path to A Better Future.
He mentioned Xinjiang Uyghurs in a chapter on the persecution of Christians in Islamic countries, “I occasionally think of the persecuted: Rohingya, poor Uyghurs and Yazidi.” Francis did mention about Rohingya fleeing Myanmar and Yazidi who is being killed in Islamic countries. This is his first time mentioned Uyghurs.
The United States Secretary of State Pompeo earlier criticized China on suppressing the Uyghurs in Xinjiang at the Vatican meeting. Yet, the Vatican has never spoken out on related issues. Some commentators think that the Vatican did not speak out for Uyghurs earlier to avoid affecting Sino-Vatican contract renewal negotiation.
Source from: The Stand News #Nov24
https://bit.ly/37xKKmZ
#Vatican #Pope #Francis #China #Pompeo #Uyghurs #Xinjiang #humanrights #prosecution #IslamicCountry
Reuters: Two Nuns in Vatican’s HK-based Quasi-diplomatic Mission Arrested in Mainland China, Top Clergyman in the City Censors Protest from within the Church
A long investigative report published by Reuters on December 31 quotes a source as saying that that two nuns in an informal, Hong Kong-based diplomatic mission from the Vatican had been arrested on a visit to their hometowns in mainland China. The report says they were later placed under house arrest and prohibited from leaving the country. Some senior members of the Holy See consider the incident a sign that China wishes to have the mission closed, and top clergymen in Hong Kong believe Beijing is expanding its control over the diocese and even attempting to influence the selection of the next bishop.
The report also quotes four unnamed informed sources as saying that the current leader of the diocese and the apostolic administrator, Cardinal John Tong Hon, has been suppressing progressive voices in the church, including that coming from the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission. Last October, the diocese, headed by Cardinal Tang, censored a statement from the commission on Sino-Vatican relations, removing a part concerning the missing Bishop James Su Zhimin of mainland China’s underground church.
Source: The Stand News #Dec31
#Vatican #HongKong #China #CatholicChurch #Relgiion #ReligiousFreedom
https://bit.ly/3i8JdIN
A long investigative report published by Reuters on December 31 quotes a source as saying that that two nuns in an informal, Hong Kong-based diplomatic mission from the Vatican had been arrested on a visit to their hometowns in mainland China. The report says they were later placed under house arrest and prohibited from leaving the country. Some senior members of the Holy See consider the incident a sign that China wishes to have the mission closed, and top clergymen in Hong Kong believe Beijing is expanding its control over the diocese and even attempting to influence the selection of the next bishop.
The report also quotes four unnamed informed sources as saying that the current leader of the diocese and the apostolic administrator, Cardinal John Tong Hon, has been suppressing progressive voices in the church, including that coming from the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission. Last October, the diocese, headed by Cardinal Tang, censored a statement from the commission on Sino-Vatican relations, removing a part concerning the missing Bishop James Su Zhimin of mainland China’s underground church.
Source: The Stand News #Dec31
#Vatican #HongKong #China #CatholicChurch #Relgiion #ReligiousFreedom
https://bit.ly/3i8JdIN
The Pope Call On Catholics Worldwide To Pray Hard for Church in China
May 24 was proclaimed a "Day of Prayer for the Church in China". Pope Francis called on the Catholics throughout the world to pray for the church in China, after the Sunday Mass in the Vatican on May 23, amid arrest of clergy and tear down of church crosses in Hebei Province by hundreds of police. He indicated that believers in China are his deepest concern, and invite global Christian to pray for Chinese faithful, helping them to build justice and peace in their country.
Before the Pope's call, several Catholics clergy and believers in China, including Bishop Zhang Weizhu, was arrested for "organizing prayer activities". The Burmese Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, who previously denounced China for covering up the pandemic, had launched a prayer campaign on March 14 and called for a day of prayer for the Church in China. It aroused widespread response including US congressman, parliament members from UK, Canada, and other countries, as well as some US bishops. The activity has expanded on May and setup the "Global Prayer for China" page.
#ReligiousFreedom #China #Vatican #PopeFrancis #Catholics #CCP #PrayerDay
Source: Apple Daily #May24
https://hk.appledaily.com/china/20210524/C7YDPHB6FBE4JLC3GA4EHDUU4E/
May 24 was proclaimed a "Day of Prayer for the Church in China". Pope Francis called on the Catholics throughout the world to pray for the church in China, after the Sunday Mass in the Vatican on May 23, amid arrest of clergy and tear down of church crosses in Hebei Province by hundreds of police. He indicated that believers in China are his deepest concern, and invite global Christian to pray for Chinese faithful, helping them to build justice and peace in their country.
Before the Pope's call, several Catholics clergy and believers in China, including Bishop Zhang Weizhu, was arrested for "organizing prayer activities". The Burmese Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, who previously denounced China for covering up the pandemic, had launched a prayer campaign on March 14 and called for a day of prayer for the Church in China. It aroused widespread response including US congressman, parliament members from UK, Canada, and other countries, as well as some US bishops. The activity has expanded on May and setup the "Global Prayer for China" page.
#ReligiousFreedom #China #Vatican #PopeFrancis #Catholics #CCP #PrayerDay
Source: Apple Daily #May24
https://hk.appledaily.com/china/20210524/C7YDPHB6FBE4JLC3GA4EHDUU4E/
#WhiteTerror #FreedomofReligion
Cardinal Joseph Zen appears in court in Hong Kong on day of prayer for China
Ninety-year-old retired Catholic cardinal #JosephZen hosted a packed mass in Hong Kong on the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China, just hours after a brief court hearing over charges linked to pro-democracy protests.
In his homily after pleading not guilty to charges of failing to register a pro-democracy association to Hong Kong Police, Zen chose not to speak about his legal case, but to highlight how Catholics in some parts of China cannot attend Mass right now — for they have no freedom now.
Zen dedicated the mass to churches in China where believers are still split between a so-called “underground” church resistant to the government, and a state-sanctioned church belonging to the Chinese Communist Party’s Patriotic Catholic Association.
In his remarks at Mass, Zen again criticised the deal between China and the #Vatican that allows Beijing to nominate bishops for the pope’s approval, calling it “unwise” despite being made with “good intention”.
"There is an urge to unify those above the ground and those underground but it seems that time is not ripe yet,” Zen said.
Implying that there may be more difficult times ahead, Zen said that “we may have to bear some pain and steel ourselves for our loyalty to our faith.”
He also dedicated prayers to churches in Myanmar led by #CardinalBo, his most outspoken supporter in Asia, as well as “brothers and sisters who cannot join tonight because they are not free”.
Zen, one of Asia’s highest-ranking Catholic clerics, was among five prominent democracy advocates — including activist and singer #DeniseHo and veteran human rights barrister #MargaretNg — who were arrested in early May. His arrest is part of a national security police probe into foreign collusion over a legal support fund for pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.
Instead, all five of the fund’s former trustees and its secretary were charged on May 24 with failing to register it as a “society” with police — a non-national security offence. All plead not guilty.
#NationalSecurityLaw #PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution #Oppression
Image source: #FirstHand
Sources: Reuters, HKFP, UCA News; #May25
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/hong-kong-catholic-cardinal-criticises-china-deal-after-national-security-arrest-2022-05-24/
-----
Related News
Hong Kong Catholic group will not hold Tiananmen crackdown masses citing fears over national security law
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32764
612 Fund Trustees and Secretary Plead Not Guilty for "Non-registered organisation" Charge
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32751
.
Cardinal Joseph Zen appears in court in Hong Kong on day of prayer for China
Ninety-year-old retired Catholic cardinal #JosephZen hosted a packed mass in Hong Kong on the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China, just hours after a brief court hearing over charges linked to pro-democracy protests.
In his homily after pleading not guilty to charges of failing to register a pro-democracy association to Hong Kong Police, Zen chose not to speak about his legal case, but to highlight how Catholics in some parts of China cannot attend Mass right now — for they have no freedom now.
Zen dedicated the mass to churches in China where believers are still split between a so-called “underground” church resistant to the government, and a state-sanctioned church belonging to the Chinese Communist Party’s Patriotic Catholic Association.
In his remarks at Mass, Zen again criticised the deal between China and the #Vatican that allows Beijing to nominate bishops for the pope’s approval, calling it “unwise” despite being made with “good intention”.
"There is an urge to unify those above the ground and those underground but it seems that time is not ripe yet,” Zen said.
Implying that there may be more difficult times ahead, Zen said that “we may have to bear some pain and steel ourselves for our loyalty to our faith.”
He also dedicated prayers to churches in Myanmar led by #CardinalBo, his most outspoken supporter in Asia, as well as “brothers and sisters who cannot join tonight because they are not free”.
Zen, one of Asia’s highest-ranking Catholic clerics, was among five prominent democracy advocates — including activist and singer #DeniseHo and veteran human rights barrister #MargaretNg — who were arrested in early May. His arrest is part of a national security police probe into foreign collusion over a legal support fund for pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.
Instead, all five of the fund’s former trustees and its secretary were charged on May 24 with failing to register it as a “society” with police — a non-national security offence. All plead not guilty.
#NationalSecurityLaw #PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution #Oppression
Image source: #FirstHand
Sources: Reuters, HKFP, UCA News; #May25
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/hong-kong-catholic-cardinal-criticises-china-deal-after-national-security-arrest-2022-05-24/
-----
Related News
Hong Kong Catholic group will not hold Tiananmen crackdown masses citing fears over national security law
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32764
612 Fund Trustees and Secretary Plead Not Guilty for "Non-registered organisation" Charge
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32751
.
Reuters
Hong Kong Catholic cardinal criticises China deal after national security arrest
Hong Kong's Cardinal Joseph Zen - in his first public remarks since he was arrested in a national security case earlier this month - on Tuesday criticised the Vatican for its "unwise" deal with China that is due for renewal in September.