Posted on 07/16/2023 9:18:41 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
In 2018, Pope Francis and the Vatican signed an agreement with the Chinese Communists that, among other things, gives both sides a say in the appointment of bishops. This agreement was ignored by Beijing three months ago when they unilaterally named Bishop Joseph Shen Bin to lead the Diocese of Shanghai.
Instead of standing up to the Beijing bullies, Francis gave in and announced on Saturday that he had accepted the Communist’s appointment despite Beijing’s blatant violation of the 2018 accord.
The Church in China is sharply divided between the “official” Catholic Church sanctioned by the government and an “underground” church that follows the Vatican. It puts Francis in a difficult position, but is he so naive as to believe that every time he gives in, the Communists won’t take advantage and push the agreement a little farther?
Cardinal Joseph Zen, a former bishop of Hong Kong, and other critics have complained that the agreement is “a betrayal of the country’s underground Catholics loyal to the pope,” according to the Wall Street Journal.
The “official” Catholics have very little freedom.
Religious groups have been required to revise their practices and teaching in accordance with Communist Party doctrine and to develop what Xi has called “socialist religious theories with Chinese characteristics” through a process of “sinicization.”
The Vatican has acknowledged that the results of the deal have been meager so far. Only a handful of new Chinese bishops have been ordained under the agreement since 2018.
Last November, the Vatican accused Beijing of violating the deal by transferring Bishop John Peng Weizhao from his Vatican-approved post as bishop of Yujiang to a new role as auxiliary bishop of Jiangxi, a diocese not recognized by the Vatican.
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
“Canonical irregularity”? It’s important to properly prostrate oneself when paying homage to the Mandarins in China.
Well least he’s probably not gonna be a homosexual
But he will be a spy in the Vatican, and whatever limited diplomatic clout the Vatican might have will be further reduced as nations will question whether their confidential discussions with a Vatican representative would remain confidential or would be quickly transmitted to Beijing.
We all know the “true church” ALWAYS listened to the government and did what they were told. It’s in the Bible somewhere… right? I think Peter himself did what the government always wanted.
Christ made a delineation between what is Caesars and what is Gods domain. So, there are things in which one must not submit to on government authority.
NOT the Pope. That evil POS is squatting in the chair.
How long has this guy poped? And why hasn’t there been a major schism in the Roman church?
Exactly.
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.