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Church in the WorldZen accuses Beijing of reneging on commitmentsHong Kong Ellen Teague - 9 June 2007The first 10 years of Chinese rule in Hong Kong have been "a long series of frustrations", according to the Bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Joseph Zen. "On the surface, everything is like before," he told Catholic News Service in Washington on 30 May, but he said that the Chinese authorities "are not keeping their promises". Beijing, which regained control of Hong Kong on 1 July 1997 after more than 150 years of British rule, has faced criticism over the slow pace of democratic reform. Hong Kong's post-handover mini-constitution promised direct elections for the chief executive and legislative council as the ultimate goal, but in 2004 Beijing ruled out direct elections in the near future. "They are full of fear about Hong Kong people because we protest," the cardinal said. "For Communists, anyone who protests is the enemy," he added. The cardinal has been involved in popular clashes with the Chinese authorities in recent years over the management of Catholic schools and anti-subversion laws which could undermine basic civil rights. During the 2003 anniversary of Britain's handover of Hong Kong, Cardinal Zen led some 10,000 Christians in a prayer service before half a million people marched to protest against the security laws. The cardinal has been visiting the US and Canada to talk to Catholics of Chinese descent about the situation in China and Hong Kong and about relations between China and the Vatican. He mentioned again that Pope Benedict is drafting a letter to Chinese Catholics. Meanwhile China's Ministry of Public Security has issued a directive listing "unwanteds" who face being barred from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. These include members of the "underground" Catholic Church. Beijing has also warned that foreign missionaries will be banned from evangelising. The warnings came after reports that Christian mission groups are planning to send thousands of volunteers to the Olympics as visas will be easier to obtain. |
 In this week’s issueMaking markets moral Iron and velvet Love in a Catholic climate Someone to talk to A good Lent takes planning South American surprise Can the Church support abuse victims on its own terms? Elena Curti Is the Church too slow in recognising that academies are the future for Catholic schools? Christopher Lamb Goodwin the scapegoat Elena Curti The pain of being a coeliac Catholic Sr M, guest contributor The Church's moral obligation to victims of clerical sexual abuse Speeches from this week's conference in Rome This week in Rome bishops and religious superiors met at the first Vatican-backed symposium devoted to forging a global response to the crisis of clerical sexual abuse that has disgraced ... Archbishop voices 'shame and sorrow' after priest's abuse trial Longley to visit parishes 'damaged' by Walsh Today, Tuesday 7 February, Bede Walsh, who served as a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, has been convicted by a jury, following a 10-day trial at Stoke-on-Trent ...
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