Two of the Chinese government's “Catholic associations” are meeting
from Dec. 7-9, with many bishops loyal to the Vatican reportedly being
coerced into attending the gatherings.
With the exception of two
articles in Beijing's official Catholic newsletter, almost no
information has come out about the assemblies themselves, including in
the Chinese media.
However, several Chinese Catholic sources have
reported bishops being kidnapped or arrested, in order to compel their
participation.
The Catholic Patriotic Association and the
so-called “Bishops' Conference of the Catholic Church in China” are both
seeking to fill a leadership position that has been vacant for several
years.
A government-appointed bishop, Michael Fu Tieshan, headed both
agencies –and occupied a leadership position in the Communist country's
national legislature– until his death in 2007.
Ahead of the
meeting, around 100 police officers and other government officials in
Hebei province converged on the residence of Bishop Feng Xinmao, whom a
group of nuns and lay faithful had previously managed to rescue from
forced isolation.
After a dramatic siege that lasted several hours,
authorities recaptured the bishop to take him to the meetings in
Beijing.
In the same province, police have declared Bishop Li
Lianghui Cangzhou to be a fugitive, after he disappeared in order to
avoid the state-church meetings.
Other sources within the Chinese Church
have described local bishops going into hiding to avoid a similar fate.
Many bishops have not managed to escape, and have been detained
and taken to the event.
Others, facing similar threats, have reluctantly
agreed to attend.
However, they are reportedly refusing to concelebrate
Masses with excommunicated state clergy.
In Hong Kong, the
Catholic Justice and Peace Commission protested the meetings with a
rally at government offices.
They wore purple ribbons to signify the
suppression of Chinese Catholics' religious freedom, and the recent
renewal of government pressure on bishops who are loyal to Rome.
In
November 2010, the Catholic Patriotic Association forced a group of
Vatican-approved bishops to participate in an unauthorized episcopal
consecration.
Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged on Dec. 1 that Chinese
Catholics were now “going through a particularly difficult time,”
despite past indications of reconciliation between Beijing and the Holy
See.
Although the Vatican has given approval to certain bishops
who pledge their obedience to the Pope while operating within the
state-approved “Catholic associations,” neither the Catholic Patriotic
Association nor the self-described “Bishops' Conference” has ever
received the recognition of the Holy See.
SIC: CNA/INT'L