Scottish Cardinal Expresses Concern About Spirituality In China, Sees Hope For Church Unity
Nov 09, 2007
In a written reflection on his recent mainland China trip, Cardinal Keith Michael Patrick O'Brien expresses concern about the future of spirituality there, but says he saw a desire to build unity within the Church.
Scottish Cardinal Expresses Concern About Spirituality In China, Sees Hope For Church Unity
HONG KONG (UCAN, November 9, 2007) -- In a written reflection on his recent mainland China trip, Cardinal Keith Michael Patrick O'Brien expresses concern about the future of spirituality there, but says he saw a desire to build unity within the Church.
From Oct. 19 to 29, the head of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh archdiocese in Scotland, Britain, met bishops, priests, nuns, seminarians, lay Catholics and government officials in Xi'an, Beijing and Shanghai.
He prayed with local clergy and Religious, and led Catholics in prayer at Shanghai's Sheshan Marian Shrine, dedicated to Our Lady Help of Christians.
Upon his return, the 69-year-old prelate wrote two articles. The first is an account of the trip, while the second, China -- Some Thoughts on the Way Ahead, contains his reflections on the visit. UCA News obtained copies of both.
In his reflections, Cardinal O'Brien says he feels concerned about the "spirituality" underlying the rapid development he saw in the cities he visited. "Where is the 'soul' of China in the face of increased secularization of society and a wealth hitherto unknown?" he asks.
A possibly positive indication, he says, came at the Oct. 21 closing session of the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. "For the first time in its history, the Communist Party of China mentioned the word 'religion' in an amendment to its constitution," he notes.
"Is this a genuine attempt of looking forward to finding the 'soul' of China -- or simply a tactic to hold on to power?" he questions. He admits he cannot make a judgment on this, "but it could be taken as a positive step for further dialogue."
The cardinal observes that "spirituality seems to have been part of the nature of the Chinese people."
The prelate, who visited the tomb of Jesuit missioner Father Matteo Ricci (1552-1610) in Beijing, says the Church has its proper role to play in strengthening and developing the spirituality of the Chinese.
In his reflections, the cardinal also cites the existence of the "underground" Church community and the government-approved Church community's ties with the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, which have caused "division" among Catholics. It is his "firm conviction that the Church worldwide has a great lesson to absorb from the experience of those suffering and faithful people."
He reveals he met some bishops who are seeking legitimization of their episcopate from the Vatican, and says he knows civil authorities deny underground bishops recognition and freedom of association.
"I can only say that we all look forward to the day when all bishops will be in full communion with the Holy Father in their own Episcopal conference," he writes.
Cardinal O'Brien remarks on reactions to Pope Benedict XVI's letter to mainland Catholics, released on June 30. "Many have accepted this letter joyfully, others have been hurt by certain phrases, but there is a desire which I have clearly seen that this letter be used as a major step on the way forward to building up the unity of the Catholic Church in China and its challenging work of evangelization, while recognizing the legitimate role of the civil authorities."
He also observes that "although there are challenges still to be met, religious freedom has grown over the past years."
For the good of the Church and China, he says, further ways forward must be found in line with Church teaching as promulgated by Pope Benedict, "without denying the legitimate rights of the civil authorities there and the Chinese character necessary to find new avenues for the way ahead."
The "enthusiasm of the people of God in China" impressed him, as did the "sterling work being done to prepare the thousands who are seeking baptism each year" and the China Church's social service to the poor, people with AIDS and people with leprosy.
He looks to the future of the China Church "with confidence," despite "hurdles," and echoes the pope's call for Catholics worldwide to unite in prayer with the China Church on May 24, the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians.
Catholics worldwide can thus show "our own fraternal solidarity and solicitude for the peoples of China, helping them to be ever more close to Jesus Christ and to his Vicar on earth."
Scottish Cardinal Expresses Concern About Spirituality In China, Sees Hope For Church Unity