Part One | Part Two
Condemnation of the Patriotic Association
or the second, condemnation is without any extenuating circumstances. Named explicitly only in a footnote (no. 36), the texts says of the Patriotic Association that its "claim" to place itself "above the Bishops and to guide the life of the ecclesial community does not correspond to Catholic doctrine." The Patriotic Association is again referred to in speaking of "persons who are not 'ordained', and sometimes not even baptized," who "control and take decisions concerning important ecclesial questions, including the appointment of Bishops" (no. 8) and when the Letter warns that communion and unity "are essential and integral elements of the Catholic Church: therefore the proposal for a Church that is 'independent' of the Holy See, in the religious sphere, is incompatible with Catholic doctrine" (no. 8).
The difference of evaluation is reflected on the relationship that bishops and the faithful can have with them. The Pope, in fact, maintains that "there would not be any particular difficulties with acceptance of the recognition granted by civil authorities on condition that this does not entail the denial of
un-renounceable principles of faith and of ecclesiastical communion." In other words, there is, in principle, nothing preventing adherence to the official Church, leaving however the decision to each bishop, because "in not a few particular instances, however, indeed almost always, in the process of recognition the intervention of certain bodies obliges the people involved to adopt attitudes, make gestures and undertake commitments that are contrary to the dictates of their conscience as Catholics. I understand, therefore, how in such varied conditions and circumstances it is difficult to determine the correct choice to be made" (no. 7). Which might not be shared by all members of the faithful. But in this case also, out of concern for the unity of the Church, "I express the hope, however, that it will be accepted, albeit with suffering, and that the unity of the diocesan community with its own Pastor will be maintained" (no. 7).
Differing circumstances among bishops
In the same logic, the Letter addresses the question of the three kinds of Chinese bishops, those underground, those
reconciled and the few that are not reconciled. For the first, it expresses the hope that the government recognizes those who "not wishing to be subjected to undue control exercised over the life of the Church, and eager to maintain total fidelity to the Successor of Peter and to Catholic doctrine, have felt themselves constrained to opt for clandestine consecration" (no. 7). For the very reason of their absence from the "College of Catholic Bishops of China" -- which instead includes "bishops who are still illegitimate" and "is governed by statutes that contain elements incompatible with Catholic doctrine" -- this entity cannot be considered an episcopal conference.
The Letter asks that the second kind, who "under the pressure of particular circumstances, have consented to receive episcopal ordination without the pontifical mandate, but have subsequently asked to be received into communion with the Successor of Peter and with their other brothers in the episcopate" (no. 7), "fully" inform priests and the faithful of the re-establishment of full communion.
Even for those ordained illegitimately, "a very small number", the Pope's words indicate a search for unity: he recalls in fact that they are illegitimate, but validly ordained; therefore, "although not in communion with the Pope, they exercise their ministry validly in the administration of the sacraments, even if they do so illegitimately." Significant, in this regard, is what can be read in the "Highlights." After recalling the "serious sanctions" (Editor's note: excommunication) that fall upon those who ordain or let themselves be ordained, it adds: "in the absence of a true area of freedom, in order to declare that a person has incurred a sanction foreseen by the Code, an examination must be made case by case, considering all the circumstances and evaluating the true subjective responsibility."
Again from the perspective of Church unity, the letter tells all bishops that "it is licit to concelebrate with Bishops and with priests who are in communion with the Pope, even if they are recognized by the civil authorities and maintain a relationship with entities desired by the State and extraneous to the structure of the Church, provided that this recognition and this relationship do not entail the denial of
un-renounceable principles of the faith and of ecclesiastical communion" (no. 10) and that the faithful should in principle seek bishops in communion with the Pope; "nevertheless, where this cannot be achieved without grave inconvenience, they may, for the sake of their spiritual good, turn also to those who are not in communion with the Pope" (no. 10).
Appointments can be agreed upon with the State
Following this clarification on the situation of bishops, Benedict XVI offers the State the possibility of determining a method for finding an agreeable procedure for also the question of bishop appointments. "The Holy See would desire to be completely free to appoint Bishops; therefore, considering the recent particular developments of the Church in China, I trust that an accord can be reached with the Government so as to resolve certain questions regarding the choice of candidates for the episcopate, the publication of the appointment of Bishops, and the recognition – concerning civil effects where necessary – of the new Bishops on the part of the civil authorities" (no. 9).
All for the "missionary vocation" of the Church. Because, "now it is your turn, Chinese disciples of the Lord, to be courageous apostles of that Kingdom. I am sure that your response will be most generous." (FP)
For the full text of the "Letter of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the bishops, priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful of the Catholic Church in the People's Republic of China," click here: Pope Benedict's letter to the Church in China
(From AsiaNews)