VATICAN CITY, JULY 1, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI calls for unity and reconciliation for the Catholic Church in China in a letter sent to the faithful of that country.
The Vatican released Saturday the "Letter of the Holy Father Benedict XVI to the Bishops, Priests, Consecrated Persons and Lay Faithful of the Catholic Church in the People's Republic of China."
The letter, signed by the Pope on May 27, the solemnity of Pentecost, speaks of the Vatican's openness to dialogue with government officials in China, and emphasizes that it does not wish to interfere in the internal affairs of the political community.
At the same time, the Holy Father reconfirms the Church's position on religious freedom: "The solution to existing problems cannot be pursued via an ongoing conflict with the legitimate civil authorities; at the same time, though, compliance with those authorities is not acceptable when they interfere unduly in matters regarding the faith and discipline of the Church."
In regard to the ecclesial aspects, the letter recognizes the "painful situation of serious differences involving the lay faithful and their pastors," due to the role of "state agencies," referring to the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, which was named only once in a note at the end.
The association, set up by Communist authorities, does not recognize the authoritative role of the Bishop of Rome. Bishops and faithful who do not recognize the association form part of the underground Church, loyal to Rome.
Ecclesial communion
The document recalls that the unity of the Church in individual nations necessitates that every bishop be in communion with every other bishop and that all, in their turn, are in visible and concrete communion with the Pope.
"The whole of the Church which is in China is called to live and to manifest this unity in a richer spirituality of communion," states Benedict XVI in the letter.
"The claim of some entities, desired by the state and extraneous to the structure of the Church, to place themselves above the bishops and to guide the life of the ecclesial community, does not correspond to Catholic doctrine," the Pope adds.
"Communion and unity," the Holy Father says, "are essential and integral elements of the Catholic Church: Therefore the proposal for a Church that is 'independent' of the Holy See, in the religious sphere, is incompatible with Catholic doctrine."
Bishops
The letter touches on the ordination of bishops -- "a very small number of them" -- conducted by bishops of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association without the recognition of Rome. These bishops, the Holy Father explains, "are illegitimate, but validly ordained."
"Therefore, although not in communion with the Pope, they exercise their ministry validly in the administration of the sacraments, even if they do so illegitimately," the Pontiff adds.
Benedict XVI continued: "What great spiritual enrichment would ensue for the Church in China if, the necessary conditions having been established, these pastors too were to enter into communion with the Successor of Peter and with the entire Catholic episcopate!"
The letter continues: The Holy See would desire to be completely free to appoint bishops; therefore, considering the recent particular developments of the Church in China, I trust that an accord can be reached with the government so as to resolve certain questions regarding the choice of candidates for the episcopate, the publication of the appointment of bishops, and the recognition -- concerning civil effects where necessary -- of the new bishops on the part of the civil authorities."
ZE07070110 - 2007-07-01