New Hong Kong cardinal wants to serve as bridge between government, Vatican

The new cardinal from Hong Kong says he wants to “keep the door open” between the Vatican and the Chinese government while acknowledging there are “lots of battles” ahead for the Catholic church.

Bishop John Tong says he wants to keep up dialogue and friendships without renouncing principles, noting the United States has not compromised its positions on human rights with its reception this week for Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping.

He said in an interview Thursday with The Associated Press in Rome that he sees his role as “a bridge” for the church in China. 

Beijing severed ties with the Holy See in 1951 after the Communist party took power and set up its own church outside the pope’s authority.