Chinese underground churches expose rift

[Argh]

Good article!

edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/25/china.church/index.html

I wasn’t able to attend Mass while studying in China, but it appears a LOT of the faithful in Zhong Guo are, despite the wishes of the CCP.

 

[wapsi]

I wish the article had been longer, with more details.

In 1957 the Chinese government set up an official government approved church organization called the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, and suppressed the Catholic Church, which went into hiding. Unfortunately, the CCPA managed to get some bishops onto their side and so have maintained Holy Orders which the Vatican considers valid. The Vatican has been for decades trying to avoid a schism in the Catholic Church in China. Understandably, the underground Catholic Church in China feels greatly pained by the Vatican’s tightrope act of trying to appease the government.

Here is some more information, from the perspective of the underground Catholic Church in China:

Did You Know That . . .

The Communist Chinese Government:

Declared that part of the Roman Catholic Church not registered with the Chinese government is ILLEGAL?

Created a Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association in 1957 to replace the Roman Catholic Church?

Transferred all the properties of the Roman Catholic Church in China to the Communist founded Patriotic Association, leaving the “illegal” but loyal-to-Pope Roman Catholic Church penniless?

Did You Know That . . .

The Patriotic Association does not recognize the supreme authority of the Pope and therefore is not in communion with the Pope and the Universal Church?

Pope John Paul II had said many times and most recently in Manila in January, 1995: “A Catholic who wishes to remain such and to be recognized as such cannot reject the principle of communion with the successor of Peter.”?

The Patriotic Association, although calling itself Catholic, is not Catholic because it is not in communion with the Pope, the successor of Peter?

The Canon Law section 751 states:"…schism is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff…"?

Did You Know That . . .

There are about 50 Patriotic Association seminarians and priests studying in various seminaries across the United States?

Those seminarians are given full tuition, room and board scholarships from various seminaries?

This program is sponsored by Maryknoll on behalf of the Patriotic Association?

A number of Patriotic Association priests have been given full faculties in some Roman Catholic dioceses in the United States and are authorized to administer any Holy Sacrament to the public?

cardinalkungfoundation.org/didyouknow/DidYouKnow.htm

The complaints, and persecutions, are numerous, so you might want to visit the website.