Church in China

A new book by historian Paul Mariani traces the life of the Catholic community of Shanghai during the years when it was led by the Jesuit prelate, "illegitimately" ordained in 1985, a complex figure who, under difficult circumstances, sought in his own way to maintain a balance between Beijing and Rome. It is an interesting read not only about the past of the Church in China but also about what is going on today.

The diplomat, who has just taken up his post as his country’s representative to the Holy See, recounts his meeting with Leo XIV. Taiwan helped the pontiff “when he served in Peru”. Leo “said that he will pray for Taiwan.” The island does not “pose any threat” to China, offering instead “opportunities for dialogue and for peace.”

In the Catholic Church of Zhejiang Province, where Bishop Shao is a victim of repression, the priest who administered the “official” diocese is also targeted. Missing since November, he set to go on trial for publishing a book of sacred hymns without permission in another province, while rumours are circulating about his bank accounts. According to some sources, his real crime is insufficient loyalty to the Party.

In the Chinese province of Zhejiang, the authorities have recently detained priests, nuns and ordinary Catholics who made a trip abroad last year; their goal is to induce underground Bishop Shao Zhumin to join a government-controlled Church body. Places of worship and the relatives of underground priests have also been targeted. One priest says, “we want to follow our conscience” without having to submit to the political whims of the Party.

The ceremony took place today in Fujian province. Leo XIV, in his first choice regarding the Church in China, formally appointed Lin Yuntuan alongside Ordinary Bishop Cai Bingrui (the last Chinese bishop appointed by Francis in January). The Holy See is satisfied with this “important step" that confirms the “journey of communion" at the basis of the agreement with Beijing. There is hope that things will turn out better than in Mindong.

In his first Regina Caeli, from the window of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Leo XIV cited the Day of Prayer for the Church in China celebrated yesterday and the tenth anniversary of the publication of the encyclical Laudato Si', noting Pope Francis's appeal "to listen to the twofold cry of the Earth and of the poor." This afternoon, the new pope will be installed in St John Lateran as the bishop of Rome.

Today we celebrate the Day of Prayer for Christians in China, instituted by Benedict XVI on the feast of Our Lady of Sheshan. This is an opportunity to celebrate communion with the Church in China but also to remember its sufferings. Speaking to AsiaNews, an underground priest explains the actual problems involved in joining the Patriotic Association that Beijing is trying to impose with increasing harshness in the wake of the 2018 Agreement with the Holy See.

How will the new Pope manage the relationship between Beijing and the Vatican? The faithful in mainland China hope that the bishops to be appointed and approved under the agreement will truly love the faithful and know their flock. That they will be skilled in pastoral care and enjoy the support of the faithful. Only in this way will a bishop be able to guide the faithful to love both their country and the Church.

A source in mainland China spoke to AsiaNews about the election of a pontiff born in a country that, according to state propaganda, is its archfoe against whom to flaunt China’s superiority. Yet, the open gaze of Chinese Catholics towards Leo XIV shows, once again, that believing is freedom, and that a Chinese does not become Catholic if they have not first accepted, internalised, and then freed themselves from the “international tensions” that this entails.

On the occasion of the conclave, the Chinese Catholic website has retraced the historical origins of the term jiaohuang, used to refer to the Pope. It was first introduced by the great missionary Giulio Aleni in his 1623 geography treatise Record of Foreign Lands. More recently, however, the Catholic community has also begun promoting the term jiaozong, which is seen as more aligned with the spiritual role of the successor of Peter.

As with the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic entities controlled by the Communist Party of China kept publicly within diplomatic boundaries, unlike Catholic communities who were joyful for their new pastor. The issue of the two bishops elected in recent weeks will be the first test for the new pontiff. In a statement, Taiwanese President Lai expressed hope that his country and the holy See can promote peace and justice together.

A 65-year-old Jesuit, he has led the Catholic community of the great metropolis for more than three years, putting the challenge of unity and education of young people first in a difficult social context after the events of 2019. He knows the dioceses of the People's Republic of China well, having already made three official trips to Beijing, Guangdong and Shanghai.