Should we rejoice or mourn in Shanghai?
A local Catholic offers their thoughts about yesterday's ordination of Auxiliary Bishop Wu Jianlin. The unresolved situation of Bishop Ma Daqin, who is still barred from exercising his ministry, is a source of sorrow that encourages “those members of the clergy who seek only to please the government”.
Shanghai (AsiaNews) - The episcopal ordination of Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius Wu Jianlin was not a painless transition for the Catholic community in Shanghai.
The event took place yesterday after Leo XIV gave his consent to his candidacy “within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China”.
That it took place without a resolution to the case of Bishop Wu Jianlin is a significant fact. Thaddeus Ma Daqin, the other auxiliary bishop, has been confined to the Sheshan seminary for 13 years, unable to carry out his pastoral ministry due to his refusal to continue membership in the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.
We publish below the thoughts sent to us by a Catholic from Shanghai, who expresses grave misgivings about an issue that risks forcing the local clergy to submit to Chinese authorities rather than unite the local Catholic community.
Not long ago, I read an article introducing the nine bishops of the Diocese of Shanghai. I never imagined that the diocese would consecrate a tenth bishop so soon.
In theory, having a new bishop recognised by the Holy See should be a cause for joy. But is this really the case? In the hearts of many faithful in the Diocese of Shanghai, it is rather an event that brings tears to their eyes.
It is well known that in 2012, during his ordination ceremony, Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin of the Diocese of Shanghai declared that he would devote most of his energy to his pastoral ministry and would be unlikely to participate in other activities, such as those of the Patriotic Association.
Unexpectedly, this statement, an expression of dedication to his ministry, was interpreted by some as a “lack of patriotism”.
That same evening, he was placed under house arrest, and the following day, he was not allowed to celebrate his first Mass as a bishop. Thirteen years have passed, and he has still not been allowed to publicly exercise his pastoral ministry.
Is the Vatican aware of this situation? Of course. In the past 13 years, we have had three popes, all esteemed and respected, and we are certain that each of them has sought dialogue with the Chinese government regarding this matter.
The faithful have always prayed fervently, hoping that the Lord, through the just action of the Holy See, will allow the virtuous Bishop Ma to emerge soon from this "exile" to guide the faithful in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.
However, whenever the issue is raised, the responses are always vague and unsatisfactory, such as "It is an internal matter of the Chinese Church, we can't do anything about it"; "Dialogue is needed, not confrontation. The conflictual strategies of the past solve nothing"; "We must not focus only on the appointment of bishops, but also look at the daily life of the Catholic community"; “We entrust everything into God’s hands. Sooner or later, the world will experience the suffering of the Chinese Church.”
After years of prayers and patience, what we have achieved is that, following the self-proclamation of Bishop Shen Bin as Ordinary of the Diocese of Shanghai, the Vatican retroactively approved his appointment. And now it has recognised a new auxiliary bishop for the diocese.
Isn't the Church "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic" (as the Creed affirms)? Isn't it "the people unified under the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit"? (cf. Lumen Gentium, 4)?
The so-called agreement between the Holy See and the Chinese government was intended to foster communion between the Catholic Church in China and the universal Church, solving the issue of bishops ordained without papal mandate. In itself, this intent is good and positive.
But if the truth of the facts is ignored, if no action is taken regarding the imprisonment of a bishop already legitimately consecrated, if the ordination of previously unrecognised bishops is retroactively approved, If we recognise bishops who merely obey the government without proclaiming the Gospel... then doubts are inevitable.
If the "head of the family" (the Holy See) does not teach its children what is right and what is wrong, if it does not defend the truth to pursue instead harmony "without principles," and if it does not promote an authentic and healthy faith... is this truly the communion that Christ intended? Doesn't this risk encouraging those members of the clergy who seek only to please the government, making them increasingly bold and fearless? These "bear a burden, but do not exercise the pastoral mission entrusted by Christ.”
Does the Holy See see all this? Does it truly understand it? Does this lead us to communion with the universal Church, or is it leading us toward the creation of a "Catholic Church with Chinese characteristics," which only generates internal division?
We firmly believe that this is not the Vatican's intention. Yet, we sincerely hope that those concerned with these issues truly listen to the voice of the faithful.
The arrival of a new bishop recognised by the Holy See should be an occasion of joy. Yet, the hearts of the faithful weep tears of blood. Does the Vatican see this?
Yes, we will not lose hope, especially in this Jubilee Year of "pilgrims of hope”. We entrust everything into the merciful hands of the Lord. Even if the Holy See should not care about us, we are certain that the Lord will hear our cry!
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08/04/2023 15:15
