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China and the Vatican extend a historic and secret agreement to appoint bishops for two years

2020-10-22T12:43:03.133Z


The content is a mystery. Both states do not have diplomatic ties. Critics of the pact denounce a fierce repression against all religions in China.


Julio Algañaraz

10/22/2020 9:23 AM

  • Clarín.com

  • World

Updated 10/22/2020 9:23 AM

Already signed a month ago, this Thursday

the

secret agreement

for the appointment of

bishops

between the Holy See and China

was extended for two more years

“ad experimentum”

, as up to now

.

"The step forward is remarkable, no bishop is illegitimate, everyone is in communion with the Pope," said Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolín, today.

"Everything is going to be fine," added Francisco's "prime minister."

The agreement does not contemplate the other

numerous problems

, such as the repression of Catholic communities and the resumption of diplomatic relations,

abruptly cut off in 1951,

after the triumph of the Communists of Mao Tse Tung and the establishment of the People's Republic.

Although

it has not been published, it

is known that the agreement establishes the mechanism for proposals and consultations in the appointment of bishops.

In fact, China and the Pope reserve the final veto power, but so far partial discrepancies have been overcome.

In addition, the designations have been very rare.

The Chinese flag flies, with the dome of St. Joseph's Church in Beijing.

Photo: AFP

The Communist party is the official one in charge of

controlling the religions

in the country and the denunciations of repressive actions are continuous, on which the Vatican maintains a continuous silence.

The latest incident occurred in Jiangxi province.

According to the reports, several priests were placed

under house arrest

and all religious activities have been prohibited.

The priests refused to accept the pressure to pass to the so-called

Patriotic Church

, created and controlled by the communist regime.

Rampant repression

After the 1951 break, a

strong repression

began

against the Catholic community of twelve million people.

The Church was considered "clandestine" for its loyalty to the Pope and the regime opposed a "patriotic" Church whose bishops were appointed under the control of the Communist Party.

Thousands of Catholics were

imprisoned as

well as priests and even bishops.

The accusations of opponents of the agreement highlight the level of repression of all religions in China.

It has never been so strong

since the times of the Cultural Revolution, in the last century.

Cardinal Parolín said that "in these two years we have noticed signs of rapprochement among Chinese Catholics, who have divided on so many issues."

A woman uses her cell phone in front of a Catholic church in Beijing.

Photo: AFP

The Vatican Secretary of State said that it is an important sign "because the Pope trusts especially in the commitment to live an authentic spirit of reconciliation between brothers."

Cardinal Joseph Zen, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong, repeatedly criticized the agreement between the Vatican and China.

Two months ago he came to Rome and wanted to see the Pope, who

did not receive him

.

"This agreement

will kill the Church

," the cardinal told the National Catholic Register.

"The Beijing government will be able to use it to ask people for anything in the name of the Pope," he warned.

At the end of September, US Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo was in the Vatican, who demanded that the Pope

not sign

the extension of the agreement on behalf of President Donald Trump.

Francisco

did not receive it

and Pompeo had to speak with Cardinal Parolín, who told him that the agreement would be renewed.

In China, not counting Hong Kong and Macao, there are 135 dioceses and apostolic prefectures.

The number has not changed in the last two years, in which the secret agreement governed and in which there were two episcopal ordinations and five official installations.

Seven bishops excommunicated for belonging to the "patriotic" Church were

pardoned

by Francis.

Currently in China there are

fourteen "clandestine" bishops

, consecrated by the Pope but not recognized by the Beijing regime.

Some have suffered from jail.

Two Episcopalians, Su Zhimin and Shi Enxiang,

disappeared

.

The first in 1986 and the second in 2011. The communist regime has never said where they are and

if they are still alive

.


Vatican, correspondent

Look also

The Pope refused to receive Trump's foreign minister and escalates the shock over the Vatican's approach to China

Chinese hackers in the Vatican: what secrets could China seek in the heart of the Church?

Source: clarin

All news articles on 2020-10-22

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