Church in China

The local diocesan weekly reports that experts from all over the world will gather next June to reflect on the Church in China 100 years after the event promoted by Pius XI and the then apostolic delegate, later Archbishop Celso Costantini. The event was a milestone in the development of evangelisation of the Chinese people.

The bishop of Beijing expressed this hope at the end of the trip to Hong Kong. The delegation from mainland China also visited the seminary and the Holy Spirit Study Centre and participated in a theological conference on the Synod. "We learned a great deal,” Bishop Li said during the thanksgiving Mass, aiming at pursuing “the work of evangelisation” along “the direction of sinicisation”.

Card Chow received an image of Matteo Ricci as a gift. Bishop Li will stay for five days, like the new cardinal did in April in the Chinese capital. The meetings will include a visit to the seminary. The bishop of Hong Kong hopes to see a deeper understanding and closer human ties between the two dioceses.

The Archbishop of Beijing expected in a few days to return Chow's visit to the Chinese capital in April. Words to the diocese from the new cardinal after his journey to Rome for the Consistory and Synod: "Even in Hong Kong we are divided: let us take a few steps to reach out to those who are far from us, both in the physical and digital worlds."

In a long interview with the diocesan magazine, the bishop of Shanghai – at the centre of the "case" settled by Pope Francis in July – tells his story and outlines plans for his ministry. He emphasises renewal and mission in a modern and vibrant city. Sinicisation is a "red line". “We should confidently, openly and warmly welcome everyone to come and see the Diocese of Shanghai.”

The Caritas Institute of Higher Education meets the criteria to become a private university. Now it’s up to the Hong Kong government to approve the new establishment, to be called Saint Francis University. Hong Kong’s Card Stephen Chow has pushed hard for this project. Writing in the diocesan weekly, he reflects upon Francis’s thoughts about China, urging the faithful to “be patient, sincere, and consistent, and keep up our hope in the unfailing love of God.”

Bishop Yang Yongqiang of Zhouchun and Yao Shun of Jining are on the list of members released today a couple of weeks before the synod opens. They were picked by the local Church in agreement with the authorities and appointed by Pope Francis.

Founded in 1923 on the day in which the stigmata of Saint Francis are remembered, the institute is the first female religious order in Shaanxi. Despite the many trials experienced in the 20th century, it has kept its charism alive. Currently, it has 240 members in various Chinese provinces. Bishop Dang Mingyan urges them to carry out their mission “starting afresh from the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”

The archbishop of Bologna continues the mission entrusted to him by Pope Francis. If, as some media reports suggest, he will meet Premier Li Qiang, this will be the first high-level meeting between a top Church official and the head of government of the People's Republic. Meanwhile, four Chinese prelates are in Europe with government approval; in Leuven (Belgium), they met with the Verbiest Foundation to restart an exchange programme to train Chinese priests and lay people.

Ordained in 2020, Fr Yang Xiaoming, a young priest in the diocese of Wenzhou (Zhejiang) was given an administrative sentence for standing his ground on a matter of conscience. As a result, he is not allowed to perform his ministry. In China, the authorities claim the right to decide who is a priest in open violation of religious freedom.

Fr. Gianni Criveller, PIME missionary and sinologist, comments on the words addressed by the pope yesterday to the Chinese people from Mongolia, with Card. Tong and Cardinal-designate Chow. "There is no contradiction between being good Christians and good citizens when there is freedom. Now it is up to Beijing to follow up with concrete steps on issues such as the permanent form of dialogue urged by Card. Parolin or the peace mission of Card. Zuppi."

In Guangxi, Rev Park Guangzhe was held in "administrative detention” for 15 days. In Wenzhou, the campaign to remove crosses from churches starts up again, and now entails removing plaques with references to Jesus as well. As of 1 September, new rules impose further restrictions on religious activity and bans foreign links.