Like the literary character of a priest-detective from Chicago created by Ralph McInerny, the American Pope may hold a few surprises.
Vatican-China agreement
China’s Shadow Over the Conclave: Two Bishops Appointed Without Vatican’s Approval
During the “sede vacante,” no new bishop can be designated in the Catholic Church, as only the Pope can do it. Yet, Beijing “elected” new bishops in Shanghai and Xinxiang.
Pope Francis and China: A Difficult Legacy
The Pope proclaimed admirable principles that are antithetical to Xi Jinping’s thought. However, his diplomatic efforts with China did not yield the results he had hoped for.
China’s National Religious Groups Joint Conference: “Preach the Two Sessions”
The important gathering of the government-controlled religious bodies called for an emphasis on the latest documents of the regime in sermons and study groups.
Catholic Church in China: The Strange Case of Bishop Ji Weizhong
Once again, the CCP announced it had “elected” a bishop three months before the Pope appointed him. The Papal mandate was not mentioned in the consecration ceremony.
Tiandao Forum: Business as Usual for the Pro-CCP Catholic Diocese of Beijing
Some had expressed hopes that Auxiliary Bishop Zhen Xuebin, consecrated with Papal approval, would change something. But the Forum was CCP propaganda as usual.
Shanghai’s Catholic Bishop Shen Bin Announces His Program: Study Xi Jinping, not the Pope
After having been appointed by the CCP and grudgingly and belatedly approved by the Vatican, the new Prelate revealed its true colors.
Why Did the Vatican Renew Its Agreement with China?
Both the apocalyptic narrative of a “betrayal” and the naïve celebration of a “success” fail to see the nuances. But so far, we see no real progress in the religious liberty of Catholics.
Diocese of Baoding, Repression of Catholic Conscientious Objectors Continue
Those who refuse the Vatican-China deal and do not join the Patriotic Catholic Church are “disappeared.”
China, Patriotic Catholic Church Supports the Repression of Falun Gong
A statement of 2001 applauding the bloody crackdown on practitioners has been republished this month.