Speaking at a conference at the Gregorian University, the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, says that a fruitful encounter between the "Christian world" and the "Chinese world" is possible through the inculturation of faith through the concrete experience of knowledge of the artistic culture, of friendship with the Chinese people.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "To be fully Catholic and genuinely Chinese". The principle affirmed by John Paul II and by Benedict XVI was reiterated by Msgr. Paul Gallagher (pictured), Vatican secretary for relations with States, spoke yesterday at a conference at the Gregorian University.
"The Church's mission in China today - therefore said Msgr. Gallagher - is to be 'fully Catholic and genuinely Chinese', making the Gospel of Jesus accessible to all and placing it at the service of the common good".
The high ranking Vatican official, as Radio Vatican reports, recalled that "over time, relations between China and the Catholic Church have gone through different phases, alternating moments of fruitful cooperation and great misunderstanding and hostility, sometimes leading to situations in which the community of the faithful has experienced great suffering. However - he underlined - examining carefully the issues, the method that in the past made a fruitful encounter between the 'Christian world' and the 'Chinese world' possible, was that of inculturation of faith through the concrete experience of knowledge, of the artistic culture, of friendship with the Chinese people".
Hong Kong Cardinal John Tong Hon also spoke at the Conference, underlining how the importance of dialogue is "indispensable". "The Christian community and Chinese society - he continued - are currently the largest communities in the world, each with its profound culture and its historic tradition". But if everyone takes a step and draws closer "we contribute to mutual enrichment and peaceful coexistence".