Jian Mei

On his blog, Mgr Thaddeus Ma Daqin notes that the two leaders will be in Washington on 24 September. It would be wonderful to see an unexpected but much wished for handshake. The Holy See’s foreign policy is “religious and humanitarian, not political, unrelated to trade and the military”.

The police is attempting to force them to join the Patriotic Association, which promotes a Church independent of the Pope. National security agents and members of the Religious Affairs Bureau are interrogating them. The underground Church appeals to Christians to pray for them and work for the release of the four men.

After years of restrictions, msgr Wu is now free to work openly as the bishop of Zhouzhi. Bishop Dang Mingyan of Xi’an and Bishop John Baptist Yang Xiaoting of Yulin, originally from Zhouzhi, as well as about 70 priests attended and concelebrated.

Mgr Ma is said to have sent a message to Pope Francis: "Do not worry about me, do not stop from preaching the truth." The bishop has been in solitary confinement for two years for resigning from the Patriotic Association. To the faithful of Shanghai, he remains "our beloved pastor." In Hong Kong, people remember him and the martyrs. Asian Youth Day in Korea is set to focus on the martyrs.

Msgr. Ma Daqin, who is under house arrest, was absent. In the liturgy the priests referred to him as "our Bishop Ma Daqin". During the celebration and prayers, Msgr Fan was also referred to as a "bishop", although the government prohibits the use of this term for a non recognized prelate. During the service, red vestments were used, "a sign of martyrdom". Hope for the unity of the Church in China is growing.

For Hong Kong cardinal, who is praying to Our Lady of Sheshan, Mgr Fan was "an outstanding pastor" who served the church for more than 70 years. Catholics would like to see Mgr Ma Daqin at the funeral. Meanwhile, official and underground priests celebrate the Eucharist together in front of the late bishop's body.

The government never recognised the late underground bishop. Usually, in cases like his, the deceased cannot be referred to as 'bishop' and his body cannot be dressed with any Episcopal insignia. Catholics from both the official and underground Churches take part in memorial services for the late prelate. Having Bishop Ma (who is under house arrest) celebrate the funeral would be a gesture of reconciliation and accommodation.

The local government wants a low profile funeral because it did not recognise him. Requiem Masses said in private and quickly. Young Catholics from both official and underground Churches call on the Church around the world to pray for Christians in China. Under house arrest, Mgr Ma Daqin, bishop of Shanghai, remains silent. Cardinal Zen remembers Mgr Fan as a loyal and kind-hearted bishop.

Faithful hold vigil over the body for two days. They expect a police raid to force them to bury the bishop in common ground. Bishop Liu wanted to be buried in the Catholic cemetery, seized by the Party in the 50s. Diocese website shut down for a while. Telephones of priests and nuns under control.

Shortly before marking his 93rd birthday, Msgr. Liu Jinghe died in his diocese. Reconciled with the universal Church during the pontificate of Benedict XVI, he spent years in Maoist prisons and labor camps. Once free, he held important positions in the Patriotic Association and the board of bishops not recognized by Rome.

Bishop Ma Daqin has been under house arrest in Sheshan Seminary since July of 2012 when, shortly after his ordination, he resigned from the Patriotic Association. On his microblog, he invites prayers for the deceased South African leader and cites three sentences, symbolic of his struggle: freedom is indivisible, faith is sometimes persecuted, oppressor and oppressed are both in chains.

His forced absence and silence are bringing Catholics together, boosting the high regard with which the Catholic Church, and even non-Christians hold him.