Meeting Concerning the Catholic Church in China
Vatican City: March 25, 2010, (PCTV
Newsdesk)
The Holy See Press Office released the following communique late this
morning:
"The commission
established by Benedict XVI in 2007 to study questions of importance concerning
the life of the Catholic Church in China met in the Vatican from 22
to 24 March".
"The participants
examined the question of the human, spiritual and pastoral formation of
seminarians and consecrated people, as well as the permanent formation of
priests, focusing particularly on their spirituality. The difficulties that
emerge in the field of formation and new pastoral requirements - connected with
the task of evangelising Chinese society which is so dynamic and complex -
represent considerable challenges. The bishops of the Catholic Church in
China, who are recognised as having
full dignity and the responsibility to guide their ecclesial communities, are
personally committed to formative work and, in union with them, fraternal
collaboration will continue to be offered"."In the light of Holy
Father's Letter to Chinese Catholics of 27 May 2007, the commission reflected on
the way to promote unity within the Catholic Church in China, and to
overcome the difficulties she faces in her relationship with civil society.
Progress made in response to the Pope's call for authentic ecclesial communion
was noted with satisfaction, a communion which is not expressed without a
personal commitment to searching for truth and spiritual reconciliation. In the
awareness that the journey of forgiveness and reconciliation cannot be
undertaken in a day, there emerged the certainty that the entire Church
accompanies this journey and will raise insistent prayers to this end,
especially on 24 May, liturgical memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of
Christians, and the Day of Prayer for the Church in China. The
importance of taking tangible steps towards increasing and expressing spiritual
ties between pastors and faithful was also
emphasised.
"At the same time, the
participants expressed the unanimous hope that all bishops in China way become
increasingly committed to favouring the growth of unity, faith and life among
all Catholics, avoiding gestures (such as, for example, sacramental
celebrations, episcopal ordinations and participation in meetings) that run
counter to communion with the Pope who appointed them pastors, and create
difficulties - sometimes severe difficulties - in the bosom of their respective
ecclesial communities."In keeping with the
desire expressed by the Holy Father in the above-mentioned Letter, the
commission reiterates its hope that, through respectful and open dialogue
between the Holy See and the government authorities, the current difficulties
may be overcome and a beneficial agreement be reached, of advantage to the
Catholic community and to social coexistence. In this spirit, the participants
join all Catholics in China in constant prayer that those
bishops and priests who have long been deprived of their freedom may, as soon as
possible, once again exercise their episcopal and priestly ministry in support
of the faithful entrusted to their pastoral care.
"In a meeting that took
place at the end of the plenary assembly, His Holiness underlined the need of
ensuring solid formation, based on friendship with Christ, for everyone
preparing for the priesthood or consecrated life. This will be a guarantee of
success in personal life and in pastoral work. The Holy Father reiterated the
important role of played by those in charge of formation and recalled that this
is a priority task of bishops. Finally, he thanked the participants for their
commitment in favour of the Catholic Church in China".
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