Card. Joseph Zen Ze-kiun

In his homily, Card Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, spoke about yesterday's protests against a draft extradition bill.

Card Zen on the China-Vatican agreement: Saying nothing in many words

The bishop emeritus of Hong Kong laments the silence of the Holy See on the ordination of bishops at Chengdu and Xichang with the participation of an excommunicated bishop. Upcoming Assembly of Chinese Catholic Representatives a slap down for Pope. The Ostpolitik "is a failure." "In front of evil... refuse to cooperate".

The bishop emeritus of Hong Kong highlights the ambiguities that drag on in talks and in the expectations of diplomatic relations between China and the Vatican: belonging to the Patriotic Association, which Benedict XVI called "incompatible" with Catholic doctrine (and which Francis confirmed); silence on the persecution of the faithful and priests; ambiguities over appointment of bishops. A critique of the revival of the Vatican's Ostpolitik.

There is still so much optimism about dialogue between China and the Vatican, but the facts tell us that the government is taking possession of every space in the life of the Church: the ordination of bishops, control of seminaries, obligation to participate in celebrations with excommunicated or illegitimate bishops. Instead silence shrouds the fate of bishops in jail or under house arrest. The Vatican seems to want to leave the power to appoint bishops in the hands of the government. The return of Cardinal Casaroli’s Ostpolitik and the disappearance of the underground Church. An analysis by the bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, combative defender of religious freedom in China and the Territory.

The bishop emeritus of Hong Kong analyzes what happened on August 4, during the ordination of Msgr. Joseph Zhang Yinlin. Card. Zen believes that there is too much “giving in” to regime’s demands

The widespread optimism concerning the dialogue between the Holy See and China is largely groundless. Some Chinese bishops unable to speak freely are asked "leading" questions. The key issues remain unresolved, namely episcopal appointments and the fate of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. Benedict XVI's Letter to Chinese Catholics, also cited by Pope Francis, provides guidelines. No agreement is better than a bad agreement. What happened to Msgr. Cosma Shi Enxiang and Msgr. James Su Zhimin? Hong Kong's bishop emeritus, champion of religious freedom in China, delivers a vibrant reflection.

Whilst open to acts of good will, the pontiff reiterated the relevance of Benedict XVI's Letter to Chinese Catholics. He also deplored the bishops' lack of freedom, making it clear that dialogue requires openness as well as coherent values. Christians are never pessimistic because they know that everything is in the hands of Providence. It would also be wrong to give up fidelity for immediate results.

The democratic movement is not a threat to the Territory’s survival. Beijing’s "three slaps in the face" of the local population. "When the imperialists attack, they only do damage, but when it is our fellow Chinese who want to enslave us, then our heart is wounded. There is no other option for those who do not want to be enslaved except resistance". The reflections of the bishop emeritus of Hong Kong.

The bishop emeritus of Hong Kong remembers the enormous contribution of the late Card. Shan in the canonization of the Chinese martyrs (1 October 2000), the publication of the Letter of Pope Benedict XVI, in his testimony during his illness, until his last sacrifice, his agreeing not to go to China to find his sister and old classmate Bishop Jin Luxian of Shanghai so as not to be exploited by the Patriotic Association.

On the eve of an important meeting in Rome on "Jesus our contemporary," Card. Zen asks all Catholics to help the Church in China (and especially its legitimate bishops) to emerge from ambiguity, to follow Benedict XVI and "rid" themselves of those organisms that are enemies of the faith (see PA, Bureau of Religious Affairs, etc. .), and that control and stifle the faithful. The Chinese Church is on the verge of a schism caused by "bargaining" between the Catholic faith and political power. The subtitle of this article (wanted by the author) is: "In dialogue with the Community of Saint Egidio and Gianni Valente of 30Days".

With a text published in the diocesan weekly Sunday Examiner, the bishop of Hong Kong remembers the bishop of Shenyang (Liaoning), Jin Peixian, who died on November 4.