Patriotic Association bishop wants reconciliation

A Chinese bishop who is vice-president of the officially approved Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association has said that no one in China wants a Church separated from the Pope, writes Ellen Teague. Interviewed in September by Vatican Insider, run by the Italian newspaper La Stampa, Bishop Joseph Shen Bin of Haimen said, “we are like branches attached to the vine and we need the pastoral guidance of the Pontiff”. Speaking during a visit to Germany, the bishop reported that “Twenty years ago, we could not publicly pray for the Pope … But now we pray for Pope Francis in every Mass.” Bishop Shen, 47, was ordained in full communion with the Holy See and is recognised by Beijing. He is also a member of the Council of Chinese Bishops, not Vatican-recognised. He said he considers reconciliation between the “official” and “clandestine” or underground communities the most important outcome that can be expected from the ongoing Beijing-Holy See dialogue.