Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – The publication of the Letter from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone to Chinese priests on the occasion of the Year for Priests (see Fides 16/11/2009), which is dated November 10, 2009, has received strong positive feedback from Chinese priests and faithful. At nearly a month since the Letter's publication, study and reflection continues to take place on it. Agenzia Fides has received a letter written by a group of Chinese Bishops and priests who, following a careful study of the Letter from Cardinal Bertone, at the light of the Holy Father's Letter to Chinese Catholics (of 2007), communicate their own impressions and hopes.
“Cardinal Bertone’s letter does not criticize or speak about the endless arguments of the past and today’s new conflicts. He does not even mention some specific incidents that happened recently,” reads the text that notes how instead, Cardinal Bertone addresses Chinese priests “with a fatherly heart,” exhorting them with affection to place Saint John Mary Vianney as their example, as “priests in China are warmly encouraged and highly inspired by the exhortation of this high official of the Holy See and by his hope-giving invitation.”
Both this letter and the previous letter addressed by Pope Benedict XVI “confirm the deep concern for the Catholic Church in China and the understanding and love for Chinese priests shown by the Pope, the Secretary of the State and other high officials of the Holy See.” Thus, the Chinese priests are “also affirmed by these letters,” and urged to “deeply reflect” on them. The text highlights: “Chinese priests are very grateful to the Pope and the Secretary of State for their love and concern and agree with them on the points which they stress in their exhortation: to cultivate priestly virtues, to foster the maturation of their human formation, and to better establish church communities.”
In addressing the “new phenomena and new problems that have emerged in today’s Chinese Catholic Church,” the Letter from Cardinal Bertone “with its bright hope” indicates “clear direction,” placing itself “in line with the spirituality and theological thoughts of the popes. It re-emphasises the principle and direction of dialogue and reconciliation according to current circumstances and the evolution of Sino-Vatican relations.”
The text sent to Agenzia Fides also explains that, following the publication of the Letter from Pope Benedict XVI in 2007, “the disturbing persisting atmosphere of confrontation and tension has been alleviated to some extent and an atmosphere of reconciliation has gradually been created.” Although, “it will still take some time to reach entire reunion and communion before the Sino-Vatican relations are normalized,” the path of dialogue, cooperation, and reconciliation has now been opened. On this long path of reconciliation, surely “new problems and conflicts” will emerge, however they should not be overrated, just as the opinions of individuals cannot be used in representation of the majority of the Church in China.
The priests also explain that “Cardinal Bertone understands very well the social situation in which the Chinese Church exists and her own persisting problems,” and thus does not ask Chinese priests to continue arguing over “who is correct and who is wrong,” instead he draws attention to “the highest priest, Jesus Christ and to the model of priests St. Vianney.”
The text concludes by recalling that “although it will still take some time to normalize the Sino-Vatican relations and although progress will probably be very difficult, one cannot deny the fact that Sino-Vatican relations have entered into a period of transition. Consequently, we the Chinese priests have to get ready for this and gradually build up our own awareness of the time that will follow upon the normalization of Sino-Vatican relations.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 9/12/2009)
