China shrugs off Vatican compromise on bishop ordinations

Proposal would see adoption of Vietnam model of joint approval of candidates.

Lay Catholics kiss Auxiliary Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin’s ring after his ordination in Shanghai in July 2012

Beijing:  The Vatican’s spokesman said it was willing to compromise on bishop ordinations in China in an interview screened in Hong Kong on Thursday, a proposal the government appeared to dismiss via state-run media.

Father Federico Lombardi told Phoenix TV that the Holy See was ready to model its ordination policy with China on that agreed with neighboring Vietnam four years ago: candidates are first reported to the Vatican, which consecrates bishops based on government confirmation.

“This means that things can change, can go on, can be gradually better,” said Lombardi. “Be very aware that you can be a good Chinese citizen and a good Catholic at the [same] time.”

In response, China’s Foreign Ministry urged the Vatican to face “the historical tradition and reality of Catholics in China” regarding ordinations, the state-run Global Times reported on Friday.

“China is always sincere in improving ties with the Vatican and has been making continuing efforts to this end. We are willing to have constructive dialogue with the Vatican... We hope the Vatican can create favorable conditions for the improving relations,” said Hong Lei, a Foreign Ministry spokesman.

The government’s response indicated it remains unwilling to give up control of ordinations to the Vatican following months of talks, said Joseph Cheng Yu-shek, Catholic chair professor of political science at City University of Hong Kong.

“On one hand, you may simply say Chinese leaders are not willing to make concessions,” he told ucanews.com. “But this is also very typical of China’s negotiation strategy, it sets certain principles, it sets a certain framework: ‘please accept my framework and then we talk.’ So I would say this is more than just saying ‘no’.”

The number of Chinese Catholics has grown rapidly in recent years to more than 20 million people, according to estimates, meaning the Vatican has more to gain from an agreement, added Cheng.

“The Vatican is trying to approach China but basically not much progress has been made,” he said.

In February last year, the government said it would be willing to develop relations if the Vatican severs diplomatic ties with Taiwan and “refrains from interfering” in China’s internal affairs.

China and the Vatican started talks last year aimed at resolving disagreements including the ordination process.

In recent weeks, signs that the Vatican appeared to be willing to compromise on bishop ordinations have led to criticism led by retired Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun who retains significant influence over Catholics in Hong Kong following his retirement six years ago.

In an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera on Wednesday, Zen accused the Vatican of being overly prepared to compromise with a hardline government it knew little about.

“Beijing doesn’t want to dialogue,” he said. “Their delegates put a document on the table to sign and our people don’t have the ability or the strength to make different proposals. Do we want to sacrifice the nomination and consecration of bishops for a bogus dialogue?”

Source: UCAN