More signs of thaw in China-Vatican relations

A breakthrough in rebuilding diplomatic ties between Beijing and the Holy See has been discussed publicly in China’s media, writes Ellen Teague.

On 26 February, a state-run broadcaster aired a discussion on the topic for the first time on an English-language talk show and suggested a “constructive improvement” in relations.

Earlier that month, Cardinal John Tong, Bishop of Hong Kong, announced that a milestone agreement could be imminent. The China Global Television Network broadcast the discussion on the Dialogue show ahead of the next round of negotiations.

On the show, Francesco Sisci, a researcher at Renmin University of China, reported a consensus emerging in the controversial area of the appointment of Chinese bishops. “I understand there is already a de-facto agreement between the two sides,” he suggested. “With the exception of a few bishops, both sides recognise about 120 bishops in China.” He reported a “distinction and very fine line”, which says the Pope has “religious authority over the bishops but no political authority”.

However, in a 15 February interview with LifeSiteNews, Cardinal Joseph Zen, the Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong and China’s highest-ranking prelate, pleaded with the Vatican not to “sell out” China’s “underground” Catholics by striking a deal with the Communist Government. The “Patriotic” Catholic Church in China has first loyalty to Beijing while the unofficial or underground Catholic Church is loyal first to Rome. Zen said a deal that allowed Beijing to nominate bishops for the Pope to accept or reject would essentially mean the Vatican accepting a Government-controlled Church in China.

“I can understand the Pope is really naïve ... He doesn’t know the Chinese communists,” Zen said. “But unfortunately the people around him are not good at all. And I’m afraid that they may sell out our underground Church.”