Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, the
retired bishop of Hong Kong and an outspoken advocate of religious
freedom in China, called on the Vatican to speak more clearly in defense
of Catholics there, especially the so-called "underground" or
clandestine communities who refuse to register with the
government-controlled Catholic Patriotic Association.
"The Holy See has to choose between being clear or accepting compromise," the cardinal said on Nov. 13. "Unfortunately, on the executive side, people see a lot of compromise. There is the shadow of 'Ostpolitik.'"
The term "Ostpolitik," in the context of Vatican diplomacy, refers to
efforts to foster better relations with Soviet bloc countries during the
Cold War, in an effort to improve conditions for Catholic churches
there.
The cardinal highlighted the divisions among China's estimated 10
million Catholics, not only between the "so-called clandestine community
and the community that accepts government control," but also among
those who comply with the government's requirement to register with the
Catholic Patriotic Association.
"The part that submits to the government is not united. There are those
who still put up a certain resistance, notwithstanding their submission,
and others who tolerate this oppression, this control," he said. "There
are also opportunists who have rather cordially accepted collaboration
with the government, and look out for their own interests and those of
the government rather than for the church."
The cardinal praised efforts by retired Pope Benedict XVI to bring unity
to the church in China and gain concessions from Beijing, but said some
Vatican officials were and continue to be "much more understanding and
conciliatory" toward the communist government.
"What we may call the underground community suffers," Cardinal Zen said.
"They feel abandoned. The actions by Rome are not in their favor.
Especially, for example, many bishops die and no successors are named."
"In my view, this policy is a mistake," he said, "and as a result the church is getting ever weaker."
The cardinal praised Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the
Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, a diplomat with long
experience of China, and the congregation's secretary, Archbishop Savio
Hon Tai-Fai, the highest-ranking Chinese official at the Vatican, as men
who "understand the situation better" than other officials.
He also said that Pope Francis had made an "excellent choice" for
Vatican secretary of state in Archbishop Pietro Parolin, who officially
took office in October but was to start work Nov. 16 after recuperating
from surgery.
"The new pope has not yet spoken out," Cardinal Zen said. "He is
evidently a very wise leader. He is listening, he is studying. Let's
hope the Lord helps him."
"And let's also hope that something changes in China," he said, "and
they begin a more sincere conversation with the Holy See. If that
happens, there will be some hope."