Wednesday Liturgy: Follow-up: Chinese State-Sponsored Mass
ROME, MAY 13, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.
In the wake of our comments on the Catholic Church in China (April 29), a priest with long experience working in Beijing wrote that he was "disappointed" that I might have given the impression that we are dealing with two and not one Chinese Catholic Churches.
I am not totally convinced that what I wrote left such an impression. By placing the word "official" in quotation marks I sought to emphasize that I was adopting a frequently used expression that is not totally accurate.
Also, by drawing a parallel with the situation of the French Revolution I hoped to show that we are not dealing with two Churches but with two ways of responding to an unjustified interference by the state in the Church's inner life. Some have come to an understanding with the state; others have heroically resisted and have paid, and continue to pay, a severe price for their fidelity to Rome.
However, in deference to the wisdom and personal experience of our correspondent, and to clarify any lingering doubts, I report below the substance of his message.
"Dear Father McNamara, I was disappointed to read your comments about the Chinese 'official' church. Though you did not state anything that is false, the 'impression' you left gives me cause to respond in charity and clarification.
"The fact is: the official Vatican position has always been that there is only one church in mainland China -- but as John Paul II reiterated time and time again, it is a 'divided' church. The Chinese 'official' church is not a schismatic church. Its sacraments are valid but illicit.
"Secondly, as most Sinologists will tell you, about 97% of the current bishops have been 'legitimized' by the Vatican. To ensure the safety of the Chinese bishops, the Vatican never mentions who has been legitimized.
"However, in some cases, at the consecration of certain bishops, the legitimization letter of the Pope has been read either before or after the letter of appointment by the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. For example, the recently consecrated bishop of Beijing, Li Shan Joseph, was approved by the CCPA and legitimized by the Vatican. In my recent visit to Beijing, I noted that the ... priest who took over after me for the pastoral care of the foreign Roman Catholics, had obtained permission from Bishop Li to confirm.
"Benedict XVI's letter was a 'watershed' moment in the history of the Chinese Catholic Church.... It recognizes that an underground church is not consistent with our history and encourages legitimized bishops 'when it is convenient' to admit their legitimization.
"I would ask you to please paint an accurate picture of the Chinese Catholics."
All I can say in conclusion is to invite all of our readers to pray so that the unity and harmony that Pope Benedict XVI desires for the Catholic Church in China be achieved as soon as possible.
In the wake of our comments on the Catholic Church in China (April 29), a priest with long experience working in Beijing wrote that he was "disappointed" that I might have given the impression that we are dealing with two and not one Chinese Catholic Churches.
I am not totally convinced that what I wrote left such an impression. By placing the word "official" in quotation marks I sought to emphasize that I was adopting a frequently used expression that is not totally accurate.
Also, by drawing a parallel with the situation of the French Revolution I hoped to show that we are not dealing with two Churches but with two ways of responding to an unjustified interference by the state in the Church's inner life. Some have come to an understanding with the state; others have heroically resisted and have paid, and continue to pay, a severe price for their fidelity to Rome.
However, in deference to the wisdom and personal experience of our correspondent, and to clarify any lingering doubts, I report below the substance of his message.
"Dear Father McNamara, I was disappointed to read your comments about the Chinese 'official' church. Though you did not state anything that is false, the 'impression' you left gives me cause to respond in charity and clarification.
"The fact is: the official Vatican position has always been that there is only one church in mainland China -- but as John Paul II reiterated time and time again, it is a 'divided' church. The Chinese 'official' church is not a schismatic church. Its sacraments are valid but illicit.
"Secondly, as most Sinologists will tell you, about 97% of the current bishops have been 'legitimized' by the Vatican. To ensure the safety of the Chinese bishops, the Vatican never mentions who has been legitimized.
"However, in some cases, at the consecration of certain bishops, the legitimization letter of the Pope has been read either before or after the letter of appointment by the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. For example, the recently consecrated bishop of Beijing, Li Shan Joseph, was approved by the CCPA and legitimized by the Vatican. In my recent visit to Beijing, I noted that the ... priest who took over after me for the pastoral care of the foreign Roman Catholics, had obtained permission from Bishop Li to confirm.
"Benedict XVI's letter was a 'watershed' moment in the history of the Chinese Catholic Church.... It recognizes that an underground church is not consistent with our history and encourages legitimized bishops 'when it is convenient' to admit their legitimization.
"I would ask you to please paint an accurate picture of the Chinese Catholics."
All I can say in conclusion is to invite all of our readers to pray so that the unity and harmony that Pope Benedict XVI desires for the Catholic Church in China be achieved as soon as possible.
posted by Chipi Buenafe at
10:59 AM
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