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?