Posted on 07/28/2017 6:01:04 PM PDT by marshmallow
A state-run news agency has instructed Chinese journalists to refer to Cardinal Zen as a 'former' bishop
A state-run news agency in China has directed mainland journalists to refer to Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun not as the “emeritus” bishop of Hong Kong, but to use the word “former.”
The new terminology on how to refer to Cardinal Zen was part of a broader list of words and phrases to be “banned or used with care”, issued by the Xinhua News Agency to media workers in China, ucanews.com reported.
“‘Former bishop’ instead of ’emeritus bishop’ should be used to address Zen Ze-kiun and other retired bishops of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese,” said point No. 48, according to the list posted by several Chinese media.
Cardinal Zen, who retired as bishop of Hong Kong in April 2009, has spoken out on political freedom, human rights and religious persecution, especially during his six-year tenure as bishop of Hong Kong.
The cardinal was born and raised in pre-communist Shanghai. In a May interview, Cardinal Zen told the Catholic Herald: “In Shanghai we had a hard life during the war with Japanese occupation, but they didn’t intervene directly in the Church.
“When the communists took power I could not go back to China any more. I was able to communicate with my family but very carefully.”
He also raised concerns about the government’s treatment of Catholics, saying: “In my conscience, I have to shout what my convictions are,” the cardinal told the Herald.
“There is no improvement for Catholic life in China. Surely it is going backwards, and I cannot allow that to happen.”
Ucanews.com reported the word ban has riled several mainland Catholic bloggers, already dealing with a ban on using virtual private networks, a tool that they use to avoid China’s so-called.......
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicherald.co.uk ...
Cardinal Zen has been absolutely relentless in criticizing Francis’ attempt to sign an agreement with China. He is utterly fearless.
Ping.
Dear China,
All your Emeritus Bishops are belong to us.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.