The Cardinal Kung Foundation
Evagelizing China
Date Published: Summer 1995
The fervor to evangelize China by many Roman Catholic
religious communities is consistent with the Holy Father's
August, 1995 mission intention. Alone, this news should be
exciting and encouraging . Unfortunately, very often, their
ardent love for China, and the missionary zeal have been taken
advantage of, and misguided by the propaganda of the communist
Chinese government and the Patriotic Association. Under the
pretense of "bridging the differences" "love"
and "charity", they have poured enormous resources into
the Patriotic Association. By espousing the argument that helping
an "illegal church" would not be effective in their
evangelization efforts, they have almost completely ignored the
loyal, underground church.
For the benefit of who wish to assist in the evangelization of
China, we sincerely offer them our following observations and
requests. Certain points are repeated from our previous issues.
However, for the sake of completeness and for the benefit of our
new readers, we believe that this repetition is necessary, while
making this topic all inclusive.
1. The 1988 Advisory to the World Bishops
The 1988 advisory to the world Bishops from the Holy See said
that any contact with the Patriotic Association should be marked
by "doctrinal clarity" and "fraternal
charity". This advisory has not been officially superseded
or canceled; therefore, it must still be valid.
a. Doctrinal Clarity - The Pope reconfirmed in Manila last
January that:
"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 publicly denies the supreme authority
of the Pope and rejects the principle of communion with the Pope,
even though the denial might have been done under adverse
situation.
The Pope continues to say that:
"Genuine love...cannot be separated from truth
...Unity springs from conversion of the heart and from sincere
acceptance of the unchanging principles laid down by Christ for
his church."
To accept the Patriotic Association as a member of the Roman
Catholic Church, while it continues to proclaim its independence
by denying the supremacy of Peter is not the "unity"
and "love" as defined by Pope John Paul II.
An unchangeable principle laid down by Christ should not be
freely adapted to fit different political, social or economic
conditions. If one basic principle of Christ can be set aside to
accommodate changes, other basic principles such as the sanctity
of life would also be subject to personal choices and
convenience. This is very wrong.
While we pray for the eventual true unity of the Patriotic
Association with the mother Church, let us not lose sight of the
fact that the Patriotic Association is not the One, Holy,
Catholic and Apostolic Church
. b. Fraternal Charity - Charity and compassion must be
properly and appropriately placed. Charity applies to all, but
must first start with our obligation at home and focus on all the
basic needs of the Roman Catholic Bishops. How long must these
loyal underground bishops wait, having lived in poverty and
struggled heroically, almost alone, with their apostolate for 45
years?
To give the Patriotic Association $4.3 million (page 36, no. 5,
1994, 30 Days) from various Catholic institutions while the loyal
underground brothers was "left with nothing" can hardly
be called "Fraternal Charity". Your influence in the
Universal Church can correct this trend. We pray that, in
planning your evangelization policy in China, please keep in mind
the Holy See's guideline that "contact with the Patriotic
Association should be marked by DOCTRINAL CLARITY and FRATERNAL
CHARITY".
2. Is the Universal Church endorsing the Patriotic
Association who rejects the supremacy of the Pope?
One does not donate to an organization let alone support them
with millions, unless one approves of their policies and agenda.
The accommodation or cooperation with the Patriotic Association
from the organizations of the universal church is in effect an
endorsement of the Patriotic Association. Such endorsements
encourage the Chinese government to continue their persecution of
the underground Roman Catholic Church. They indirectly prolong
the religious persecution in China.
Many are under the impression that there is now religious freedom
in China. To permit the existence of the Patriotic Association
(under strict government control) while persecuting the loyal
Catholics cannot be construed as religious freedom. In the eyes
of the faithful in China, the Universal Church has endorsed the
Patriotic Association and its policy and positions by virtue of
the Church's generous donation and participation in the Patriotic
Association projects even though the Patriotic Association
rejected the Pope's supremacy and the Vatican appointed Bishops.
This would give a wrong signal to the Chinese government and the
Patriotic Association.
3. Are you endorsing the Patriotic Association?
Unfortunately, and without knowing it, many of you are already
assisting the Patriotic Association. There are many religious
communities, catholic charitable organizations and dioceses, all
beneficiaries of your generous donations, currently engaged in
projects with the Patriotic Association.
Donations from various catholic institutions have printed bibles
in China which contain deletions and alterations regarding the
supremacy of the Pope. The donations also supported Patriotic
Association seminarians to study in the United States seminaries.
These seminarians will return to China to be ordained by the
Patriotic Association Bishops and serve in the Patriotic
Association. These Patriotic Association Bishops support the
"one child, one family" policy of China because they
said that they should comply with the law of the country. Even an
unjust law? In addition, these donations also built and renovated
Patriotic Association churches while the loyal priests and
bishops are forced to offer Masses in deserted fields. When
making a donation, please ensure that your monies will be used
for the church which is truly loyal to the Holy Father.
4. What are some of the positions of the Patriotic
Association and its leaders?
Despite the claim that some Patriotic Association bishops pray
for and love the Pope in their hearts, the positions of many
Patriotic Association leaders are only too clear.
On the continuous imprisonment of the underground clergy, Bishop
Jin, the government appointed Bishop of Shanghai, and Chairman on
the Seminary Education and Formation Committee in the Patriotic
Association, said there was no clergy imprisoned in China for
their faith; rather they broke the laws. What laws?
His Holiness announced in 1991 that Cardinal Kung, while still a
prisoner in China, was elevated in pectore to the Cardinalate. An
immediate response arrived from China. The Patriotic Association
of Shanghai, whose president is Bishop Jin, announced that the
Shanghai Diocese (of the Patriotic Association) remembered
vividly the "crimes" of Bishop Kung who sinned against
his country and God. For the Pope to elevate Bishop Kung while
still a prisoner was yet another example of the pope's
interference with the internal affairs of China. To this, the
Shanghai Diocese of the Patriotic Association must strongly
oppose.
5. Pope Pius XI teaching on Ecumenism
It seems to us that the very clear teaching of Pope Pius XI in
his encyclical letter MORTALIUM ANIMOS of January 6, 1928 has
never been abrogated, superseded or repudiated by the Holy See.
Therefore, it is still sound teaching. In this letter the Pope
Pius XI condemns certain errors of false ecumenism, expressing:
"Since the Mystical Body of Christ, in the same manner
as His physical body, is one, compacted and fitly joined
together, it were foolish and out of place to say that the
Mystical Body is made up of members which are disunited and
scattered abroad: whosoever is not united with the Body is no
member of it, neither is he in communion with Christ its
head."
The Patriotic Association certainly is not a member of the
Mystical Body. It should not be treated as such.
6. The Canon Law's position on the Patriotic
Association?
The Patriotic Association continues to refuse submission to the
Roman Pontiff. Its bishops have been consecrated without a papal
mandate. On this subject, the Cannon Law Section 751 states,
"....schism is the refusal of submission to the Roman
Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to
him."
Canon Law Section 1382 further states:
"a bishop who consecrates someone a bishop and the
person who receives such a consecration from a bishop without a
pontifical mandate incur an automatic "latae
sententiae" excommunication reserved to the Apostolic
See."
In view of the above, it should be clear to us and to the entire
Catholic community that the Patriotic Association is a schismatic
church. Please be aware of this principle when and if you are
being courted by these Patriotic Association bishops for whatever
reasons.
7. The Roman Catholic (underground) Bishops'
Conference
The underground Bishops' conference should be respected as the
authority of the Roman Catholic Church in China, similar to the
Bishops' Conferences of any country.
"The diocesan bishop is to rule the particular church
committed to him with legislative, executive, and judicial power
in accord with the norm of law" (Canon 391).
The "norm of law", as explained in the
commentary of "THE CODE OF CANON LAW"
commissioned by the Canon Law Society of America, is "the
bishop's ordinary pastoral care".
Inasmuch as the Roman Catholic Bishops (underground) are
appointed by the Holy See throughout communist China, these
bishops not only must bear responsibility for their dioceses, but
also entitled to have their opinions respected and decisions
complied with when the work and policy of these religious
communities falls within their dioceses. Any true assistance
which purports to assist the Catholic Church in China should be
in line with the policy, pronounced practice, philosophy and
effort of the Vatican appointed bishops. Their approval is
mandatory (Canon 678).
In the universal church, no religious community would dream of
entering a diocese without the approval of the diocesan bishop.
The same philosophy should apply for the underground bishops.
More cooperation, not less, is needed in the case of the
underground church in view of their desperate conditions. In your
policy decision for evangelizing China, such past and current
opinion from the underground bishops, e.g. their recently
published pastoral letter from the Chinese Roman Catholic Bishop
Conference, should be heavily weighed.
Sadly, in recent years, not only has the financial support to the
Patriotic Association from the Universal Church far exceeded that
of the loyal (underground) Church, but also more emphasis has
been directed to the opinion of the Patriotic Association Bishops
than that of the underground Ordinaries. One cannot condone, but
may understand, why businessmen and politicians can abandon the
principle of human rights in the name of "trade". A
true Catholic can hardly comprehend why the learned Church
Fathers would sidestep basic Church principles in order to meet
with the approval and seek the goodwill of the Patriotic
Association. It creates an appearance of betrayal and abandonment
of the loyal Roman Catholic Church. This overture to the
Patriotic Association deeply hurt the morale of the loyal Church.
We pray that your community will take the leadership to correct
this situation.
8. The Vitality of the Underground Church
The loyal Roman Catholic Church grew from three million in the
1950's to the current eight million amid severe communist
persecution. The bishops of the loyal Church never complained
about such persecution, nor have they sought relief. The illegal
status of the loyal Church, the so called unofficial church,
never bothered the loyal faithful. Despite unrelenting pressure
from the government, this year's enormous gathering of a minimum
of thirty thousand persons on May 23rd and fifty thousand on May
24th in Dong Lu's Marian Shrine is testimony to the courage of
the loyal Church and an example of their prowess against the
persecution.
9. Is Abandoning the Underground Church Justifiable
Due to its "Illegal" Status?
Sympathizers of the Patriotic Association often argued that
aiding an "illegal church" under its many restrictive
conditions makes missionary efforts not effective, and therefore
the Patriotic Association should be courted and assisted. We must
be mindful that the missionary mandate, since it comes from
Christ Himself, is of a higher order. (cf. Matt 28: 16-20; John
20: 21-23)
While we must make a strong effort in our missionary endeavors,
the fruit of the mission is the gift of the Holy Spirit. The
blood of the martyrs is the seeds of the church inspite of the
"illegal" status of these martyrs. The loyal church in
China has grown from 3 million to 8 million even with its
"illegal status", lack of churches, bankrupt finances,
and continuous persecution for 45 years. Active help from the
universal church will not only encourage and console the
suffering church, but also increase its effectiveness a hundred
fold. For this, we pray that your community will not use the
"legality" issue in China as the basis for any decision
on your agenda.
The yet-to-be-certified miracle of the recent supernatural
phenomenon at the Shrine of Our Lady of Dong Lu on May 23, 1995
is perhaps an important message of love from Our Holy Mother to
the underground Church. Before these 30,000 underground and loyal
Catholics, God chose to demonstrate that, despite their
"illegal" status and activities, the loyal faithful
remain close to His heart. This miracle has been confirmed by the
local Ordinary.
10. Stubborn Ideologist or Agents of Change?
In the early 1950's, thousands of clergy including Fathers Beda
Chang, S.J., Francis Chu, S.J., Vincent Chu, S.J., Xavier Tsai,
S.J., Bishops Ignatius Kung, Peter Fan, Dominic Tang, S.J. and
thousands of others went to jail or were martyred. They willingly
took up the cross and followed Jesus to Calvary. (Sanguis
Martyrum- Semen Christianorum).
Recently, one priest said in a conversation that the underground
Church seemed to be oblivious to the changes in the political and
social trend in China. Other priests would travel frequently to
China to teach in Patriotic Association seminarians while
oblivious to the needs of the loyal Roman Catholic Church. They
are all China "experts" and "scholars".
Concurrently, many instances of cooperation with the Patriotic
Association are approved by bishops in the free world such as:
a. Open concelebration between the Roman Catholic and Patriotic
Association priests, (Communicatio In Sacris?)
b. Training of the Patriotic Association priests in Catholic
seminaries in the West, and
c. Giving faculties to the Patriotic Association priests to
administer sacraments in a Catholic Church in the west
. We will abide by the decision of the Holy Father. But, in the
absence of official proclamation from His Holiness, we feel
puzzled by the above local decisions. Are the basic teachings of
Christ, which can never be changed, malleable to accommodate
trends and special situations, such as the Patriotic Association?
Bishop Kung turned down the offer of freedom and refused to join
the Patriotic Association: "If I leave the Pope, not only
would I not be a Bishop, I would not even be a Catholic." If
the basic principles of Christ are adapted to the changing time,
then does it mean that the thousands, who were incarcerated in
the 1950's continuing to the present, are merely stubborn,
inflexible ideologists who cannot change with the times?
Are the bishops of the free world who are supporting the
Patriotic Association advocating that the loyal underground
church should abandon their fidelity to the Pope and join the
Patriotic Church in order that the "half truth" be
preached? Or are they hoping that the Patriotic Association can
be persuaded by the $4.3 Million of donation and return to the
universal church? Are St. Thomas Moore, St. John Fisher,
Archbishop Tang, Bishop Peter Fan, and Cardinal Kung the
steadfast true sons of the Church, or are Cardinal Wolsey,
Patriotic Association Bishops Fu Teshan, Zong Huaide, Jin Luxian
"agents of change"?
11. "Afflictions and hardship...from within and
without"
The Pope in his Manila trip last January also expressed:
"The Church presses forward amid the persecutions of
the world and the consolations of God...By the power of the risen
Lord, she is given strength to overcome patiently and lovingly
the afflictions and hardships which assail her from WITHIN and
WITHOUT..."
Are the issues we outlined above some of the "afflictions
and hardships" that the Pope referred to?
At this juncture, we will leave you to debate with the following
passage:
"Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads
to damnation is wide, the road is clear, and many choose to
travel it. But, how narrow is the gate that leads to life, how
rough the road, and how few there are who find it." (Matt
7:13-14)
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