The trial of 90-year-old Cardinal Joseph Zen this week in Hong Kong is a moment of truth for the Catholic Church in China.
It forces Rome and Beijing to play certain cards, because this resister to Chinese oppression, former archbishop of this megalopolis from 2002 to 2009, is known worldwide for his fight for democracy and human rights, including freedom of conscience and religion.
However, the cards in this Sino-Catholic game turn out to be obscure… Which is not a surprise for this unscrupulous communist country.
But who is more worrying for the Vatican, which has just let go, there is no other word, this resistant cardinal.
Unless Francis, Jesuit pope and fine politician, has a head start in this high-risk Chinese calculation.
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China: Cardinal Zen gets angry at the Vatican's "treason"
With five other defendants imprisoned since May 10, 2022 - Zen is under house arrest - the cardinal is accused of "collusion with foreign forces".
Their crime?
Supporting protesters...
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