Friday, November 11, 2011

“China does not wish to change the Church’s doctrine”

“No bishop in China intends to change the Church’s doctrine… Myself and other Chinese bishops always read the Pope’s speeches, his homilies and his encyclicals and pass their messages on to the people. Photocopies are made and sent to all priests in all parishes. So that everyone can read and follow the Pope in his regular teachings…” 

This is what Giovanni Battista Li Suguang, 46 year old coadjutor bishop of Nanchang said in an interview that has just been published by international monthly magazine “30 Days”.

Ordained bishop on 31 October 2010, with the Holy See’s approval and with the recognition of Chinese authorities, Li Suguang is among the bishops accused in the Holy See’s recent communiqués, of participating in the illegitimate ordination of Giuseppe Huang Bingzhuang as bishop of Shantou, last 14 July. 

He and the other 40 year old prelates who found themselves at the head of the Chinese Church, after their predecessors’ retirement, are being blamed of being too compliant in terms of their control over religious policies. 

In his interview with the Catholic monthly, the coadjutor bishop of Nanchang explained his attitude and that of his fellow bishops, stressing their vital ties with the Pope.

“Not just myself – he said – but all other Chinese bishops, always read and pass on the messages not just of the Pope’s Letter to Chinese Catholics in 2007, but also his homilies, his encyclicals and his speeches. Photocopies are made and sent to all priests in all parishes. So that everyone can read and follow the Pope in his regular teachings and they can find inspiration for their own lives and the situations they find themselves living in. In this way, we share our faith with Peter’s successor and this is the simplest and most concrete way of experiencing our communion with the Pope, which everyone can see. We also pray for him. All bishops pray for him. I pray for him and I also pray for myself, that the Lord may help me to be a good bishop.”
 
The bishop added that “it would be a great gift if the Pope could under stand China,” that is, “the culture and the actual social situation the Chinese Church is currently faced with. There is a lot to know, a lot to understand. Some come to China for a week and then go home and start acting as though they know everything there is to know about Chinese Catholics. But complex situations need to be recognised and respected for what they are. I really hope that relations between China and the Vatican can get back on the right path it would be good for us and for the Church as a whole.”
 
 And referring to the apostolic tradition and to the preservation of the Catholic faith in this big Asian Country, Giovanni Battista Li Suguang added: “The fundamental question is also how Chinese bishops live and express their faith in union with Peter’s successor and with the universal Church as a whole. I believe that since the beginning and up until now, our Church in China has never changed one iota of the apostolic tradition that was passed down to us. We have not changed one the doctrine as far as faith and the great discipline of the Church are concerned. We are united around the same sacraments; we recite the same prayers, in the continuity of apostolic succession. This is the basis of genuine communion. Despite our limitations and all our shortcomings and weaknesses, we form part of the universal Holy Church; we share with all our brothers across the world, the faith in the same apostolic tradition. We do not wish to change anything.”

Finally, the bishop rebuked the accusation that is often made against representatives of the Episcopate who are most engaged in dialogue with the Communist government, that is, that they want to create an autocephalous national Church that would be separate from Rome. 

“This is the thoughts of others. They are others’ opinions, not ours. No Church is self sufficient; no Church can live without the gift of the Spirit of Christ. I repeat, now in China, no priest and no bishop intends to change the Church’s doctrine. In China too, the love of Christ manifests itself through openness and understanding. In today’s world, despite the processes of globalisation, numerous differences do still exist. For example, it is difficult for China and Europe to understand one another. Points of contact need to be found and regular dialogue is the only way to bring two very different worlds together. So I hope that the universal Church will welcome and recognise the Chine Church for what it really is. Without isolating it and mistreating it, so that communion can flourish, as a sign of Christ’s love. As a bishop, I only hope that the spirit of Christ’s love is diffused and shines throughout the whole of China.”