Sacraments from Patriotic Association priests in Mainland China

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David_B

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I’m seriously considering spending a year abroad in mainland China to improve my skills in mandarin chinese and am going to support myself by teaching english as a second language.

Would it be licit for me to take part in the sacraments of the Patriotic Association? Part of me would really prefer to participate in the worship of the so-called underground church that has resisted government control but being a caucasian I don’t think I’d be able to slip in easily to their gatherings.

So is it okay to receive penance and communion from Patriotic Association priests? Thanks very much!
 
I will leave the theological aspect of your question to those more familiar with the validity of the ordination of Patriotic Association priests. IIRC the “bishops” of the association are chosen by the government of the PRC and not by the Holy See. This raises the question of apostolic succession and whether these “bishops” actually have the power to ordain and also whether the priests ordained by them are capable of acting in Persona Christi.

There are several reasons that I would recommend against receiving the sacraments. Especially reconciliation. You have to remember that while any confession you make goes from you through the priest to God’s ear, it will more than likely also be cc:'d to the local office of the Ministry of Public Security (a national police force combined with intelligence gathering and para-military operations) and also to the directorate within the Ministry for State Security (MSS) or Guojia Anquan Bu [Guoanbu] that handles the monitoring of foreigners within China.
The loyalty of the Patriotic Association clergy is at the least divided and at the most given first to the state and then to the church. You will automatically be viewed as a spy anyway simply due to the paranoia and perception of all non-Chinese as barbarians and threats to the state. Use as a guide the Miranda warning before you go to confession, "anything you say can and will be used against you.

On a happier note, if you travel in areas where there are schools attended by foreigners (particularly Americans and Italians) don’t be surprised if you meet a member of the clergy in mufti. I’ve known of a couple of priests who travelled to China as students with no external indication whatsoever of their actual vocation. Just be careful, expect to be the object of much curiosity and some hostility.

If you do make the trip, I wish you well and will keep you in my prayers.

If you’re interested in learning more about the criminal justice system in the PRC, you can find the CIA World Factbook Report here

For an analysis of religious persecution in China you can go here

For a report on religous persecution being used against foreigners as well, you can go here
 
There was another thread recently on this topic, and persons far more knowledgeable than I argued quite forcefully that no Westerner, especially and American, should attempt to contact members or clergy of the underground Catholic church in China, since you would almost certainly bring exposure, arrest and worse to them. Not to mention the penalties you would suffer. In a situation where you cannot find a priest for Catholic sacraments you are relieved of the Sunday Mass obligation, and may express deep contrition to God for your sins with the intent and purpose of confessing as soon as you are able. Simply speak to your priest about this before you leave.

If you are planning your sojourn in China with the express purpose of contacting underground Christians, your purpose will be discovered in short order by the Chinese government and will be used against you, as evangelical Christian missionaries have discovered. Just heard a program about this on the evangelical radio station.
 
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