VATICAN - Cardinal Parolin: Pope appoints the Bishop of Shanghai "for good of diocese and dialogue"

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Today, Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Joseph Shen Bin as bishop of Shanghai, in continental China, transferring him from the diocese of Haimen, province of Jiangsu.
We report the interview that Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness, gave today to the Vatican media to illustrate the reasons and implications of this appointment. In this interview Cardinal Parolin reiterates the Catholic Church’s desire for dialogue and the hope of being able to open a permanent liaison office of the Holy See in China

Your Eminence, the Holy See has announced the Holy Father's decision to appoint Msgr. Joseph Shen Bin as Bishop of Shanghai, some time after the same Bishop had already been transferred there from the Diocese of Haimen. Why did all this happen and what does Pope Francis' gesture entail?

To explain what happened, it seems useful to recall the precedents and the circumstances of the case. The Provisional Agreement on the appointment of Bishops in China was extended for a further two-year period on October 22, 2022. About a month later, the Holy See had to express its surprise and regret at the news of the installation of his Exc. Msgr. John Peng Weizhao, Bishop of Yujiang, as Auxiliary of the Diocese of Jiangxi, not recognized by the Holy See and without the latter having been consulted or informed. With regard to Shanghai, on the other hand, the Holy See was informed of the measure taken by the Chinese authorities to transfer His Exc. Msgr. Joseph Shen Bin, Bishop of Haimen, but, again, it was not involved.
The decision to take time before publicly commenting on the case is attributed to the need to carefully evaluate both the pastoral situation of the Diocese of Shanghai, which is recognized by the Holy See and without a bishop for too long, and the opportunity to transfer Msgr. Shen Bin, an esteemed Pastor. Both transfers were made without the involvement of the Holy See. This modus procedendi seems to disregard the spirit of dialogue and collaboration established between the Vatican and the Chinese side over the years and to which is referred in the Agreement. The Holy Father has decided nevertheless to rectify the canonical irregularity for the greater good of the Diocese and the fruitful exercise of the Bishop's pastoral ministry. The Holy Father's intention is fundamentally pastoral and will enable Bishop Shen Bin to work more serenely to promote evangelization and ecclesial communion. At the same time, we hope that he will be able, in agreement with the Authorities, to promote a just and wise solution to other issues which have been pending for some time in the Diocese, such as - for example - the position of the two auxiliary Bishops - Thaddeus Ma Daqin, still blocked, and Joseph Xing Wenzhi, retired.

With regard to the confidentiality of the text, can you tell us what the Provisional Agreement provides for in this regard, or at least if such cases are provided for?

As is known, the provisional Agreement on the appointment of Bishops in China was stipulated between the Parties on September 22, 2018 with a two-year validity and was then renewed twice, the first time in 2020 and the second time in 2022. The text is confidential because it has not yet been definitively approved. It revolves around the fundamental principle of consensus in decisions concerning Bishops. If situations arise which seem new and unforeseen, it will be a question of trying to resolve them in good faith and with foresight, by re-reading what is written and drawing inspiration from the principles which governed its drafting. We are, therefore trying to clarify this point, within the framework of an open dialogue and a respectful confrontation with the Chinese side. Trusting in the wisdom and goodwill of all, we hope to reach positive conclusions, useful to continue the journey, overcoming all the difficulties.

Do you believe that the unilateral transfers of Bishops will happen again in China? And why is it important that appointments of bishops in China be made by consensus?

First of all, I would like to say that the transfers of Bishops from one Diocese to another are not a canonical anomaly, but measures that are part of the "physiology", so to speak, of Church government around the world, when, of course, pastoral needs and ultimately the good of souls demand it. Even in China, if a suitable candidate cannot be found in the vacant diocese, it is useful to search for him on a wider scale. In this sense, the Holy See is not opposed to the transfer of Bishops to China. The problem would arise if they were to proceed in a non-consensual manner. In my opinion, the proper application of the Agreement allows for avoiding such difficulties. It is therefore important, I would even say indispensable, that all episcopal appointments in China, including transfers, be made by consensus, as agreed, and to keep alive the spirit of dialogue between the Parties. Together we must prevent disharmonious situations that create disagreements and misunderstandings also within Catholic communities, and the proper application of the Agreement is one of the ways to achieve this, together with sincere dialogue.

What other topics would be important for the two parties to discuss together and why?

Many issues need to be addressed urgently, as there are many complex situations and open issues in the Church of China. I will mention only three: the Episcopal Conference, the communication of the Chinese bishops with the Pope, and evangelization. First of all, the Holy See wishes to see growth in the responsibility of the Bishops in the leadership of the Church in China, and for this reason, it is necessary to establish regular communication between the Chinese Bishops with the Bishop of Rome, indispensable for effective communion, knowing that all this belongs to the structure and doctrine of the Catholic Church, which the Chinese authorities have always said they do not want to alter.
Indeed, it must be said that too much suspicion slows down and hinders the work of evangelization: Chinese Catholics, even those defined as "clandestine", deserve trust, because they sincerely want to be loyal citizens and be respected in their conscience and in their faith. In order for the Gospel to spread with its fullness of grace and love, bearing good fruit in China and for China, and for Jesus Christ to "become Chinese with the Chinese", it is necessary to overcome the mistrust towards Catholicism, which is not a religion to be considered as foreign - let alone contrary - to the culture of that great people. It will be a great joy for us when this becomes a reality and I confess that I personally pray to the Lord every day for this purpose.

How do you see the future of the dialogue between the Holy See and the authorities of the People's Republic of China?

First of all, I would like to clarify that, if I have agreed to give this interview, it is because the Catholic faithful, not only in China, have the right to be properly informed. In fact, I have received many requests in this regard from various ecclesial communities and from people sincerely interested in the subject. I therefore hope that my words are of some use in this sense and help to clarify and resolve difficulties. I am aware that obstacles placed in the way to undermine trust and reduce positive energy. Nevertheless, the reasons for dialogue seem even stronger to me. Indeed, the dialogue between the Vatican and the Chinese side remains open and I think it is a somewhat obligatory path. It is inevitable that there will be problems, but if this dialogue develops in truth and mutual respect, it can be fruitful for the Church and Chinese society. In order to make it more fluid and fruitful, I propose the opening of an established liaison office of the Holy See in China, which would not only favour dialogue with the civil authorities, but also contribute to full reconciliation within the Chinese Church and its journey towards a desirable normality. The service, inspired by the Gospel and not by economic-political interests, which the Church, precisely because she is Catholic, renders to peoples and to their human, spiritual and material progress, is before the eyes of all honest observers. As Pope Benedict XV already pointed out in his Letter Maximum illud, dated November 30, 1919: "The Church of God is Catholic and is not foreign to any people or nation". I too would like to stress that the Catholic Church still has a lot to give to China and that China has a lot to give to the Catholic Church. In conclusion, we have signed an Agreement that can be described as historic, but it needs, however, to be applied in its entirety and in the most correct manner possible. Today, at the crucial moment of implementation, we need the goodwill, the consensus and collaboration that allowed us to conclude this far-sighted pact! The Holy See is determined to do its part to ensure that the journey continues. (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2023)

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