Rome
AP
–
Pope Leo XIV asked Chinese Catholics to pray for fellowship with Holy Shi.
The first American Pope in history recalled that on Saturday the Catholic Church marked a special East Feast Day to pray for the Chinese Church. Pope Benedict XVI began the feast as part of an effort to unify the estimated 12 million Catholics in China, split between the official state-controlled church that did not recognize the papal authority and the underground church that remained faithful to Rome through decades of persecution.
“Prayer was raised by God as a sign of solicitation and affection for Chinese Catholics and fellowship with the universal church,” Leo said.
Speaking through the studio window during the noon blessing, Leo prayed that Catholics in China and elsewhere would “have the blessings to be strong and joyous witnesses of the gospel, in order to promote peace and harmony, even in the midst of trial.”
Pope Francis has further taken Benedict’s unifying efforts by approving a controversial deal over a bishop nomination in 2018. Although details of the contract were never released, Francis claimed he had a veto over the ultimate choice, but the state-controlled churches are given a say to the church leaders.
The deal has been criticized by some for falling into Beijing’s demands, particularly for Catholic rights, and for selling out loyal Chinese underground people. The Vatican says it is the best deal you can get and has been updated regularly since.
Leo will need to decide whether to continue updating the agreement. On the Beijing side there were unilateral appointments that occurred without the consent of the Pope, and there were several obvious violations. The issue came to mind just before Conclave, who elected Leopop, as the Chinese Church advanced the primary election for the two bishops.
Leo told the Archbishop of Hong Kong, Stephen Chow, Cardinal of Cardinal, that he had visited China several times and learned about Chinese culture and reality.
Chou added that he expects Leo to follow the directions of Francis of the Chinese church. He said he gave Leo a small statue of Our Lady of Sheshan. Sheshan is a statue of Madonna, particularly respected by Chinese followers and celebrated on May 24th on the Day of East Feast.
Jesuit Chow said he begged Leo “to forget about the Chinese and the church of the Chinese people,” according to the newsletter. “He nodded his head to show that he would never forget,” according to Fides.
The Vatican has worked for many years to improve relations with China, which was officially cut off more than 70 years before the communists came to power. The Vatican had claimed the exclusive right of the Pope to name the successors of the original apostles, but the Vatican had long been hampered by China’s claims about the exclusive right to naming bishops as a matter of national sovereignty.
The 2018 deal was intended to consolidate the flock, normalize the status of seven bishops that were not recognized by Rome, and to thaw decades of alienation between China and the Vatican.
