The statement from the Pope’s commission does not mention the Beijing government, but emphasizes the role of the laity and says: “Illegitimate bishops have disturbed the faithful.”
A long and complex statement was issued today, upon conclusion of the work of the Commission on the Church in China, created by Benedict XVI in 2007 after publication of the papal letter addressed to Catholics.
It expresses concern for current difficulties (bishops and priests detained or restricted in their freedom, the role of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association in illegitimate episcopal appointments), but the overall outlook is positive, and emphasizes aspects of “normality.”
And above all, there is no reference to the Government of Beijing and the interference of government authorities in the Church.
The commission, which met in the Vatican for the fifth time, is composed of the heads of related curial dicasteries, some representatives from the Chinese Episcopate, and members of religious congregations in China.
"With deep spiritual closeness to all brothers and sisters in the faith living in China, the Commission recognised the gifts of fidelity and dedication which the Lord has given to His Church throughout the past year.”
This is in keeping with the theme of the annual meeting, “Formation of Lay Faithful,” and also in view of the Year of Faith organized by the Pope. The committee stresses how Chinese laypeople “must enter ever more deeply into the life of the Church, nourished by doctrine, conscious of their being part of the Catholic Church, and consistent with the requirements of life in Christ,” calling especially for close study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
But it also urges them “to take part in civic life and in the world of work, offering their own contribution with full responsibility: by loving life and respecting it from conception until natural death; by loving the family, promoting values which are also proper to traditional Chinese culture; by loving their country as honest citizens concerned for the common good.”
As an ancient Chinese sage put it, “the way of great learning consists in illustrating noble virtues, in renewing and staying close to people, and in reaching the supreme good”.
Finally, Chinese laypeople - considered the hope of the Church in China – “must grow in grace before God and men, by nourishing and perfecting their own spiritual life as active members of the parish community and by involving themselves in the apostolate, also with the help of associations and Church movements which foster their ongoing formation.”
In this regard, the commission “noted with joy that the proclamation of the Gospel by Catholic communities, which are sometimes poor and without material resources, encourages many adults to request baptism every year.”
It therefore asks dioceses to promote “a serious catechumenate.”
Moreover, bishops must “make every effort to consolidate the lay faithful in their knowledge of the teachings of Vatican Council II, and in particular of ecclesiology and the social doctrine of the Church.”
It is “useful” to dedicate “special solicitude to the preparation of pastoral workers dedicated to evangelisation, catechesis and works of charity,” with special attention given to “the phenomenon of internal migration and urbanization.”
As for the sufferings of bishops and priests, the committee expressed “admiration for the strength of their faith and for their union with the Holy Father. They need the Church’s prayer in a special way so as to face their difficulties with serenity and in fidelity to Christ.”
The implied reference here is to the members of the underground community of faithful.
The statement then mentions the “particular situation of the Church in China,” noting that “the claim of the entities, called “One Association and One Conference”, to place themselves above the bishops and to guide the life of the ecclesial community, persists.”
These are, as is well-known, pro-government organizations whose role had already been criticized in the letter from Benedict XVI in 2007.
With regard to illegitimate episcopal ordinations, the statement mentions them, also mentioning “acts of jurisdiction or the Sacraments” carried out by these illegitimate bishops which “usurp” a power not granted to them by the Church.
This refers to one of the issues taken under consideration during the meeting, namely the problem of ordinations celebrated by illegitimate bishops.
Nothing seems to have been decided on the issue, since the text announces no decisions or proposed sanctions.
The statement then recalls that in recent days, some of these illegitimate bishops “took part in these illegitimate episcopal ordinations,” adding that “The behaviour of these bishops, in addition to aggravating their canonical status, has disturbed the faithful and often has violated the consciences of the priests and lay faithful who were involved.”
The statement notes that the consequences of this participation by illegitimate bishops in consecrations authorized by Rome affect only themselves, that is, it worsens their position, but does not in any way affect the ceremonies presided over by them.
But regarding bishops in communion with Rome who participated in illegitimate episcopal ordinations, the statement reads: Many of these bishops have since clarified their position and have requested pardon; the Holy Father has benevolently forgiven them.
Others, however, who also took part in these illegitimate ordinations, have not yet made this clarification, and thus are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.
“Many of these bishops have since clarified their position and have requested pardon; the Holy Father has benevolently forgiven them. Others, however, who also took part in these illegitimate ordinations, have not yet made this clarification, and thus are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.”
Again, there is no reference to canonical sanctions, but only an urging to repent and to clarify their position with the Holy See, as some have already done.
The members of the commission on China follow these “painful events with attention and in a spirit of charity. Though they are aware of the particular difficulties of the present situation, they recall that evangelisation cannot be achieved by sacrificing essential elements of the Catholic faith and discipline” - and obedience to the Pope is one of these elements.
Finally, "With regard to priests, consecrated persons and seminarians” the commission reiterated the importance “of their formation,” but found that “the number of vocations to the priestly and religious life has noticeably declined in recent years.”
With regard to the two, often markedly differentiated approaches which have been invoked in recent years - patient dialogue and recognition of the special situation of China on the one hand, the firm invocation of canonical sanctions for participating in illegitimate consecrations on the other - today’s statement seems to express a middle position, embodied today by the Prefect of Propaganda Fide, Fernando Filoni, and the new Cardinal of Hong Kong, John Tong.
They do not hide the problems, nor ignore principles, but their approach is pastoral, emphasizing the positive things taking place in the Chinese Church, viewed in its essential unity, without reducing to and focusing exclusively on the serious problems of illegitimate ordinations and unlawful interference by pro-government associations.