Rome, Italy, Feb 14, 2012 / 13:56 pm
Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong says the Vatican’s recent policy in dealing with China has failed and that the Church must now take a tougher stance.
“On certain points we cannot compromise – on the nature of the Church which is established by Jesus Christ,” he told CNA Feb. 10, while visiting Rome.
“So, after a well-intentioned attempt to go the other way, and now we see the failure of going that way. I think it is time we come back to the direction given by the Holy Father.”
China has an estimated eight to twelve million Catholics, with about half of those people worshiping in government-controlled Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. Founded in 1957, it does not acknowledge the authority of the Pope.
Pope Benedict XVI set out his policy on China in 2007 in an open letter to Chinese Catholics. He criticized the limits placed by the Chinese government on the Church’s activities, including the right to appoint bishops.
“It cannot be denied that grave limitations remain that touch the heart of the faith and that, to a certain degree, suffocate pastoral activity,” wrote the Pope.