September 2012 Issue 47 Inside this issue:

Page 1 - 2 Chinese cardinal who considered cancer “A Blessing”, dies in Taiwan. Photo: ucanews.com Photo:

Page 3 Full text of of ’s Vote of thanks.

Page 4 - 5 Shanghai has a new Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi courageous Bishop.

Page 6 - 7 Chinese cardinal who considered Will China disqualify cancer “A blessing”, dies in Taiwan Shanghai’s new Bishop? When asked if he was afraid of dying, the revered Chinese Cardinal Paul Shan always responded, “No! Dying is falling into the loving arms of God” Page 8 - 9 Five Major Challenges ardinal Paul Shan Kuo- tribute to this greatly revered holy facing the Church. Chsi, the oldest of the three man. Chinese members of the College Page 10 - 11 of Cardinals, died in a hospital in “Like Blessed John Paul II he was Italian Priest who Taipei, Taiwan, on August 22, after an example of how to live and how translated the Bible into a six-year struggle with cancer. to prepare to meet the Lord”; a Chinese will be beatified religious sister who had worked On hearing of his death, Chinese closely with him told me. She Page 12 Catholics worldwide prayed for recalled how when people asked Vatican ‘displeased’ him at masses in Taiwan, across him if he was afraid to die, he by Bishop’s treatment , as well as in always responded:“No! Dying is Hong, Macau and many other falling into the loving arms of God.” places, while Taiwan’s President He had battled against lung cancer Ma Ying Jiu and other civil and since 2006. When in the spring religious leaders payed high of this year he was informed that the cancer had spread to his brain, he moved of the papal Commission for the Church in China, from Kaohsiung to Taipei for further treatment, whose situation was always close to his heart. including cyber-knife surgery. It was the final stage in his long “farewell to life”, a journey conducted Since the early 1980s, Beijing has warmly welcomed with deep faith and trust in God that has made him cardinals from Italy, Belgium, France, Scotland, famous and greatly revered throughout Taiwan, USA, the Philippines and Vietnam, but it has mainland China and the Chinese speaking world. showed no such readiness to allow the only two living Chinese cardinals who were born in the He considered the cancer a “blessing” that had mainland - Paul Shan Kuo-hsi and ’s opened many doors and enabled him to explain the Ze-kiun, to visit the land of their birth . Catholic faith to non-Christians in Taiwan, where 97% of the population is non-Christian. “Many Beijing only once allowed Shan to return to the people are surprised that I am not afraid of death, mainland – in 1979. He dearly wanted to return and facing death I am still so calm. So they want to there one last time before he died, and meet again listen to me”, he told me. his younger sister and other family members but the Chinese authorities refused to grant him a visa Invitations kept arriving, and he decided to give in 2011 because he would not accept their condition priority to three categories: intellectuals like that he should go to Beijing too. He knew that if university scholars and doctors, condemned he went there his visit could be manipulated for criminals in prison, and religious groups - including political reasons by having him meet people in Buddhist, Taoists, Protestant and Catholics. “I have leadership positions in the government established explained our Catholic faith to non-Christians bodies that control the life of the much more in these years than I didin 60 years as a in China. Jesuit”, he said. Ever a man of principle, this great soul was not When on 5 February 2007, for example, 100 lung- willing to make such a compromise to obtain a cancer specialists asked him, “‘what means besides visa. Months later, while visiting the closest point medicine do you use?”, he replied, “One that you between Taiwan and mainland China, he looked haven’t paid attention to - my faith!” He told them; across the straits and raising his hand, waved and said, “Goodbye my sister, we will meet in heaven!” “My faith, Christianity, is very simple. Just one word, love, because God is love and the nature In an interview with me in Rome, March 2007, he of God is immense love.” expressed optimism about the future of the Church in the mainland because, he said, “We are in the He explained that he was “not afraid of death, hands of God, and from history we know that no because I know that after death I will enjoy the dictatorial regime will last forever!” eternal life of God, which is a life of immense love.”

Cardinal Shan was born in Puyang, in north- eastern Henan province on 3 December 1923. He joined the Jesuits in Beijing in 1946 and took his first vows there in September 1948, but was sent out of mainland China to study for the priesthood

just before the Communists came to power in 1949. flikr.com Photo: Following his priestly ordination in the Philippines, he was sent to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. Afterwards he was sent to work first in Vietnam and then in Taiwan where he spent the rest of his life, serving as bishop first in Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo - hsi Hwalien and then Kaohsiung. John Paul II made him a cardinal in 1998 – the fifth Chinese cardinal This article was written by Gerard O’Connell , Rome in the history of the Church. That same year Shan Vatican Insider was “General Relator” at the Synod for Asia, and www.vaticaninsider.com in 2007 Pope Benedict appointed him a member 24 August 2012

China Exchange September 2012 2 Photo: ucanews.com Photo: Photo: bigstockphoto.com

Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin Full text of Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin of Shanghai’s Vote of thanks ost Respectful His Excellency Bishop Jin, All Man proposes, but it is God who will make things Mthe brothers and sisters: happen. I would like to let you know: I love you! Please pray for each other! (Long applause.) Greetings to all of you. The motto of my coat-of-arms came from two Heavenly Father, thank you for your blessing. You famous quotations. The first one is what Bishop have given me countless grace, and today you have Jin always taught us during our seminary days. It chosen me, a very humble man, a weak one. is a quote borrowed from Saint Ignatius - “For the Greater Glory of God” (Ad majorem Dei gloriam). I thank God for His grace. Today, thank you Bishop In this present moment, in this place, we have to Jin, under such hot weather (34 degree Celsius), choose a way that will serve God with greater glory. came to ordain me. I also thank the other two co- consecrators Bishop Xu and Bishop Shen. Bishop The second quotation I selected is “We are one”. I Jin, I wholeheartedly accept your laying of hands hope everyone, in our heart, will respond to Jesus and your blessings. Christ’s teachings to the Apostles:

Thank you for all and priests, as well as “May all be one!” all the seminarians, sisters and the faithful in I will spend my whole life to strive for unity. the church, especially those traveled here from afar. Your presence has given me confidence and In the light of the teaching of Our Mother Church, strength. During this time, you have incessantly as I now serve as a bishop, I should focus on the prayed for our diocese and for me, a humble and pastoral work and evangelization. It is inconvenient small one with shallow knowledge. My parents for me to take on certain responsibilities. Therefore, and the elderly in the family have nurtured me from this day of consecration, I will no longer since childhood with our Church tradition and be convenient to be a member of the Patriotic faith. Since I entered the seminary, I have been Association. (Warm applause resounded through following the traditional Church education that the church, over and over again; many participants our ancestors and predecessors observed. I will were moved to tears!) work hard and dedicate my whole life to follow the example of Jesus and to become a Good Shepherd. May we be one. For the Greater Glory of God!

May I also thank those priests, sisters, seminarians and laypeople who have not been in this Eucharist, because of limitation of seats or of other reasons. AsiaNews God does not see the appearance but understands www.asianews.it one’s heart, and justice is revealed there. 9 July 2012

China Exchange September 2012 3 Photo: UCANEWS Photo:

Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin Shanghai has a new courageous Bishop Shanghai’s new bishop showed great courage by announcing that he will not hold any position in the Patriotic Association hanghai has a new bishop his 2007 letter to Catholics in in this megalopolis of 23 million S- Thaddeus Ma Daqin. He China that this association is people and is in communion was ordained with the approval “incompatible” with Catholic with the Pope, was the main of Pope Benedict XVI and the doctrine. celebrant at this solemn event Government of the People’s in St Ignatius Cathedral, at Republic of China on July 7. “After today’s ordination, I will which five other bishops – four devote every effort to Episcopal of them recognized by the Holy Showing courage and ministry. It is inconvenient See - participated. leadership, Bishop Ma told the for me to serve the CCPA post congregation of more than 1200 anymore,” Bishop Ma told the Bishop Jin was the first to people present at the ceremony– congregation. lay hands on the man who is including government officials destined to succeed him. He – that he would no longer hold The more than 1000 Catholics was assisted by Bishop Joseph any position in the Chinese present in the Cathedral broke Xu Honggen (Suzhou) and Catholic Patriotic Association into long and thunderous Joseph Shen Bin (Haimen), who (CCPA). At the time of applause at his announcement, also laid hands on Ma. his ordination he was vice- UCA News reported. It was the chairman of Shanghai CCPA first time in recent memory – There were three other bishops and a member of the national and perhaps ever - that a bishop present at the ceremony - Joseph CCPA’s standing committee. of the ‘open’ Church community Cai Bingrui (Xiamen), John had made such an audacious Baptist Li Suguang (Nanchang), The CCPA was created by the statement at his ordination. and the illicitly ordained Beijing Government in the late Vincent Zhan Silu (Mindong), 1950s to control the Catholic The 96-year old Jesuit Bishop but significantly they did not Church in the mainland, but Aloysius Jin Luxian, who heads lay hands on Ma, UCA News Benedict XVI stated clearly in the ‘open’ Church community reported. This seems to have

China Exchange September 2012 4 been the result of a compromise are in communion with the Holy reached earlier, because before See. Bishop Fan 94, however, the event many Catholics were is head of the ‘underground’ concerned that Bishop Zhan Church community and so not would have laid hands on the recognized by the Government; new pastor. By doing so he he has been ill for some time avoided creating problems and and has lived under surveillance embarrassment for the Catholic for many years. community. The considers Fan as Still, as UCA News reported, the ordinary of the diocese and most of the 86 priests of Jin as the coadjutor. Aware of Shanghai’s “open’ Church this complex situation, Ma in community avoided being his speech said he was “ordained present at the celebration with as an auxiliary” bishop, even the illicit bishop. Indeed, only though the government and 30 priests concelebrated the ‘open’ Church community This article was written by mass and of these 12 were from consider he was ordained Gerard O’Connell, Rome the diocese. Bishop Ma referred coadjutor. In actual fact, many Vatican Insider to this in his speech when he in Rome recognize that Ma will www.vaticaninsider.com said. succeed Jin. 7 July 2012

“Because of special reasons, many diocesan priests and nuns did not come here. I love you so much. You are my strength”. These, like his earlier words, were well received by the priests, sources say.

Before the ceremony in the Cathedral, some 30 diocesan priests gathered at the chapel of Bishop’s House adjacent to the cathedral to witness the reading of his appointment by the Pope and his profession of faith, UCA News reported.

He is now a bishop of the Catholic Church in Shanghai which is composed of two Photo: bigstockphoto.com communities - one “open’ and recognized by the Government, the other ‘underground’ and not recognized. All together it has more than 100 priests and 150,000 Catholics.

With this ordination Shanghai now has four Catholic bishops - Aloysius Jin Luxian, Thaddeus Ma Daqin, Joseph Xing Wenzhi and Joseph Fan Zhongliang. All The Xujiahui Cathedral in Shanghai

China Exchange September 2012 5 Will China disqualify Shanghai’s new Bishop? The authorities that control the Catholic Church in China allege that the election and the ordination of the courageous Bishop Ma Daqin could have broken their rules. Does this mean they want to disqualify him? Photo: ucanews.com Photo:

Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin he Chinese authorities that control the life of This is quite an extraordinary move, however, Tthe Catholic Church in mainland China have given that these same authorities were directly opened an investigation into the ordination of the involved in the organization and arrangement of courageous new bishop of Shanghai, Thaddeus Ma’s election as candidate to be bishop and the Ma Daqin, in what appears to be an attempt to actual ordination ceremony. Moreover, the head disqualify him from functioning as a bishop in the of the state-sanctioned ‘open’ Church community country. in Shanghai is Bishop Aloysius Jin Luxian, who is an honorary vice president of these bodies. In a statement published on their website, the The fact that they have decided to hold an Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA) investigation, however, reflects how seriously these and the Bishops Conference of the Catholic Church authorities consider Bishop Ma’s announcement at in China (BCCCC), charged that the ordination the ordination ceremony in which he distanced of Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin at Saint Ignatius himself from the CCPA. Cathedral, Shanghai, on July 7, has “allegedly seriously violated the BCCCC’s regulations with “After today’s ordination, I will devote every effort regard to bishops’ election and ordination”. to Episcopal ministry. It is inconvenient for me to The news was reported by UCA News on July 11. serve the CCPA post anymore”, he said then.

China Exchange September 2012 6 By resigning from the positions he held on the local of Shanghai, but there is as yet no independent and national bodies at that time, and by stating that confirmation of this.Questions are also being as a bishop he would no longer hold any other post raised as to the authenticity of a message the in the CCPA, the government officials feared he bishop is alleged to have sent from the seminary had set an example that other bishops could follow to the priests and nuns of the diocese of Shanghai in coming years. That was more than they could on Sunday. tolerate. One thing is certain. Bishop Ma is no longer a free The CCPA and the BCCC are entities established man. He has lost his freedom of movement and by the Chinese Government to control the freedom of speech, and he has lost his religious Catholic Church in the mainland, but they are not freedom. It is not known if he is under house recognized by the Holy See. Pope Benedict XVI, arrest, or if he is actually detained. It is not known in his 2007 Letter to Catholics in China, said the when he will regain these fundamental freedoms. CCPA is “incompatible” with Catholic Doctrine. A close friend of Bishop Ma’s told the BBC in “The five bishops” who participated in the Shanghai that Ma has been forced to undertake “a ordination of Bishop Ma “have been summoned to period of reflection” that might last for months. Beijing to give an account of it” a Church source in “He has chosen belief over freedom”, the friend Shanghai, who wished to remain anonymous, told said. UCA News. Catholics throughout China are concerned and praying for Bishop Ma’s release, and a protest was Liu Bainain, the honorary vice-president of the held outside the Beijing Government’s Liaison CCPA was quoted by Hong Kong’s Ming Pao Office in Hong Kong by the diocese’s Justice and newspaper as saying that he is awaiting the results Peace Commission demanding that too. of the investigation of Bishop Ma. “We protest here because we feel very angry about As a further sign of how concerned the Chinese Bishop Ma being detained and also surrounded by authorities are officials of the Communist Party public security officers” Patrick Poon, a member of China’s United Work Front department which of the Justice and Peace Commission, told the oversees religious affairs in the country were Hong Kong media. expected to meet with representatives of the CCPA and BCCCC on July 11, UCA News reported that “We call for the Chinese government to release him same day. immediately and also to respect his willingness not to join the Catholic Patriotic Association All this makes it abundantly clear that Bishop Ma anymore”, he added. has crossed a red line that the Beijing government officials and state religious authorities consider The emeritus Bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal totally unacceptable. In their view, he has taken Joseph Zen joined the protestors. He had taught a step too far. They consider him as a serious Ma in the seminary in Sheshan before becoming challenge to their whole system of control of the bishop of Hong Kong, and now called on the Catholic Church. It is something they cannot Beijing Government to release his former pupil, allow. who was ordained of Shanghai, with the Pope’s approval Although Bishop Ma’s statement took them by surprise, they retaliated rapidly. Within hours of the ordination ceremony unidentified men took This article was written by Gerard O’Connell , Rome the new bishop away to an unknown destination. Vatican Insider The following day, July 8, reports said he had www.vaticaninsider.com arrived at the seminary in Sheshan on the outskirts 11 July 2012

China Exchange September 2012 7 Photo: chinesechurchvoices.com

Five major challenges facing the Church ‘Faith is not just a beautiful adornment added to our lives; it encompasses our entire lives. Truth is not a set of ideas or theories, but personal realities for which one can live and die.’ This article presents a detailed analysis of the challenges facing the church in today’s society. It was originally posted on the Sina blog of Xing Ping- huang, and later re-posted on the Gospel Times website.

hroughout the nearly two deconstructionism. Humanity blurring of absolute truth has Tthousand years since its needs absolute truth. Because created a major challenge for the establishment, the church has of this need, they declare truth church’s proclamation of truth. faced a vast array of countless to be relative and overturn its challenges. But in the wake sovereignty in order to establish The second challenge: of such trials, the church’s their own. They find the claims the personalization of morals. proclamation of the gospel is of Christianity unacceptable – shown to be all the more reliable including statements such as Error in the area of truth will and true. Humanity has recently ‘salvation is found in no one always show up in the area of entered the post-modern era, else’ and Jesus’ own words that morality. In the post-modern and the church thus faces new ‘I am the way and the truth and era, many reject a universal challenges. It is necessary for the life; no one comes to the system of values with the claim workers within the church to Father except through me.’ They that there is no standard view of give thought and attention to conclude that Christianity is an morality – that is, you have your these challenges as well as how expression of self-proclaimed morals, and I have mine. Every they should be dealt with. In his bigotry and dismiss the religion individual needs only to rely sermon, a preacher summarized entirely. This is, to no surprise, a on his or her own conscience. five challenges facing the product of post-modernism. You have your conscience, and I church today. I believe that his have mine. You have your moral assessment demonstrates great What post-modernists can and standards, and I have mine. You foresight and taps into the pulse do accept, however, is the belief have your moral baseline, and I of this age / captures the tenor that all religions are one, that have mine. Do not impose upon of the time. I would like to share ‘all roads lead to Rome,’ that me your moral requirements, some of my understanding and every religion contains and and I will not impose mine analysis. represents truth. In laymen’s upon you. This, they believe, terms, they do not talk about is mutual respect and personal The first challenge: who’s the good guy and who’s freedom. declaring truth to be relative. the bad guy, or who’s right and who’s wrong. They believe that But does not the very word One of the earmarks of the there is no ‘better’ or ‘best’. ‘conscience’ (Chinese: post-modern age is the sabotage After all, everything is good and ‘Heaven Goodness’) indicate of absolute truth and the right to begin with. So long as that it is sourced not in the deconstruction of all things, the one exercises sincerity in one’s individual but is rather a kind belief that nothing is absolute belief, everyone will reach the of ‘knowledge’ (‘science’) save relativity itself / save the ‘other side’ – be it eternal life, associated with Heaven and fact that all things are relative. It heaven, the Celestial City, or sourced in God? God created is not difficult to see the logical Nirvana – for they’re all one every nation of mankind to contradiction inherent in such and the same. The dilution and cover all the face of the earth China Exchange September 2012 8 (Acts 17:26), and he has called the first thing post-modernism in faith. Too many Christians every nation and people on does is to do away with the come to church merely to the earth to walk according to sacred by undercutting it and assuage their consciences for the conscience he gave them. bringing it down to earth.) things said and done outside Thus there are convictions ‘I consume, therefore I am.’ of church. They listen to the regarding values and morals The value of all things, people Biblical message preached which are universally shared. included, is validated only from the pulpit, but lack both The personalization of when consumed. The Christian the heart and power to apply morals overlooks one’s innate religion is no exception. Church the truth to their lives. Their knowledge of morality, serving attendees seek to use all that the faith has no substance; it exists only to bring self-respect and church offers in order to satisfy only in their heads, not their self-love but failing to consider their own wants and needs. hearts. In society, churchgoers others. It encourages individuals Everything is liable to be taken live according to its secular to seek whatever their hearts advantage of, whether it’s the ways and set the sacred on should fancy. As the Scripture preacher, the choir, the deacons, the backburner. They are thus says, ‘Everyone did what was or even God himself. It is akin assimilated into society. Where right in his own eyes.’ to being a church consumer: if is the witness of light and salt to the church doesn’t satisfy one’s be seen? The third challenge: appetite or meet one’s goal, the the privatization of belief. consumer utters complaint, casts What is belief? It’s not fodder blame, and finds a new place for leisurely small talk. It’s There is privacy in belief. to ‘go shopping.’ Such a person not about pretty dressing and In China, the constitution has no intention to serve and no flowery adornment. And it’s guarantees the right of every sense of commitment. This is certainly not a good-looking individual to have freedom one of the formidable challenges vase to be shown off. Faith, of religion. You can believe facing the church. rather, requires one’s life to whatever you want, whenever seek and embrace and witness. you want, and no one can The fifth challenge: What is truth? It is not a set of interfere. Belief deals with the the secularization of life. ideas or theories just to chat or arena of subjective thought and think about. Truth, rather, is a is by nature free and unfettered. The Bible speaks to this post- personal reality for which one But the so-called ‘privatization modern age full of material and can live and die. What is the of belief’ says that your belief personal desire: ‘Men will be church? It is not a lamp under a must stay put in your heart; it lovers of pleasure, not lovers basket, but a light on a stand, a must not show up in the home, of God’ (2 Tim 3:4). One must city on a hilltop (Matt 5:14-15). workplace, neighborhood, or not underestimate the influence It is not society that leads the internet, etc. It says that you of the secular zeitgeist on the church; it is the church that must not use your beliefs to church. Many in the church teaches society (Matt 28:20). express your mind, much less feel that the Bible’s teaching is At various times and amid use your religious standards to impractical and inapplicable, various challenges, the church cast moral judgment on social and that the way of the Lord must adhere to the truth phenomena. Contradicting and the way of the world are originally received from her religious freedom and inhibiting poles apart. They feel not that Lord. She must preach it without the free expression thereof, the Lord’s way is simply hard, compromise and uphold it this kind of ‘privatization’ is, but impossible! Without the with firm resolve. Responding in actuality, a violation of the heart to serve and the resolve to challenges and solidifying constitution. to follow in the way of the the faith, the church will move cross, how can one escape being forward through the wind and The fourth challenge: secularized? Many go so far as waves, and the truth will be the consumption of religion. to cut corners in church matters purified as through a refiner’s One of the patent characteristics and do business according to fire. of post-modernity is a consumer secular principles. They don’t culture. Everything is consumed talk about ‘consecrating’ (setting Chinese Church Voices and consumable, whether it is apart) things to God, much less www.chinesechurchvoices.com sacred or secular. (Of course, ‘entrusting’ themselves to God 9 August 2012

China Exchange September 2012 9 Italian priest who translated the Bible into Chinese will be beatified The Italian Franciscan priest, Gabriele Maria Allegra, will be beatified in his homeland, Sicily, in September he Italian Franciscan priest, Father TGabriele Maria Allegra, who translated the entire Bible into Chinese for the first time, will be beatified in the Cathedral in Acireale, Sicily, on September 29.

The beatification of the man known as “the Saint Jerome of China” will take place ten years after Pope John Paul II first recognized a miracle through his intercession in 2002.

The ceremony should have taken place on October 2002, but the Holy See decided to postpone it because at that time relations were particularly tense with China following the canonization of the Chinese martyrs in the year 2000.

Moreover, the Vatican was also concerned about further possible negative reactions from the Chinese authorities who had criticized the Franciscan for some allegedly anti-Communist writings.

On 15 August, however, the Holy See announced, through the Sicilian Province of the Franciscans, that the authorization had been given for his beatification to take place, but in Sicily, the land of his birth, not in Hong Kong.

This decision appears to have been taken out of a desire not to ruffle Chinese sensibilities.

Father , who heads the Order of Friars Minor in Hong Kong, told the UCA News that the announcement came as “a surprise to many of us.” When asked if Italy has been chosen as the venue for the ceremony in order to avoid provoking the Gabriele Maria Allegra

China Exchange September 2012 10 Beijing government, he said it was “a good one-volume Bible was published in Chinese. guess, very reasonable.” Known as the “Studium Biblicum” version, that is still the main Chinese text today and In actual fact, Father Allegra will be the first is considered to be the most faithful to the person from the Hong Kong diocese and from original manuscript. the Franciscan province of Taiwan-Hong Kong to be so honored by the Church, UCA News, Then in 1975, the Chinese biblical dictionary which first broke the news, reported. was published. While most of his life had been devoted to biblical scholarship and this Born “Giovanni Stefano Allegra” in San all important translation, Allegra nevertheless Giovanni la Punta, in the province of Catania, found time also to help the poor, the sick, Sicily, in 1907, the future blessed friar entered victims of war and lepers. the Franciscan minor seminary in Acireale in 1918, and the order’s novitiate in Bronte in This great Franciscan died in Hong Kong the 1923. Three years later he was sent to Rome to following year, 1976. It came as no surprise, study at the Franciscan’s International College. however, when eight years later, in 1984, the local bishop (later cardinal), , In 1928, Allegra felt inspired to devote his opened the cause for his beatification. entire life to the translation of the Bible into John Paul II declared Father Allegra Chinese. That inspiration came while he was “Venerable” in 1994, and next month he will attending the 600th anniversary celebrations become “Blessed”. for another Franciscan, Giovanni di Monte Corvino, the man who first attempted to translate the bible into Chinese.

Allegra spent most of the next 40 years of his This article was written by Gerard O’Connell, life on that arduous task. Thus, after being Rome ordained priest in 1930, he set sail for China. Vatican Insider He arrived in Hunan, southern China, in July www.vaticaninsider.com 1931 and there started studying Chinese and Photo: asianews.it with the help of professors prepared a first 30 August 2012 draft translation around 1937. Due to fatigue, he had to return to Italy for 3 years, but there continued his biblical studies.

He tried to return to Hunan in 1940 but could not do so due to the Sino-Japanese war and so had to go to Beijing. On that journey he lost his original draft translation and had to start all over again once he arrived in the Chinese capital. There, in 1945, he established the Franciscan Biblical Study Centre (Studium Biblicum Franciscanum), but when the Communists came to power in 1949 he and his team had to move to Hong Kong, where he lived for most of the rest of his life. On Christmas Day, 1968, Father Allegra, he achieved his life’s ambition when the first Gabriele Maria Allegra

China Exchange September 2012 11 Vatican ‘displeased’ by bishop’s treatment Says a ‘fundamental divergence’ exists over distinction between religious, political spheres The chief Vatican spokesman today expressed national body, both unrecognized by Rome as official displeasure over the uncertain fate of newly ordained Catholic organizations. Auxiliary Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin and said the Fr Lombardi emphasized a fundamental divergence situation has cast a cloud over what for the Holy See between Beijing and Rome on the distinction was a cause for celebration. between religious and political spheres.

Father Federico Lombardi, head of the Vatican Press “For the Church it is very clear that Church Office, told reporters during a briefing that the Holy autonomy must be respected for what pertains to See has had no direct contact with Bishop Ma, who Church governance. The Church is autonomous and was taken away by an unidentified group of people doesn’t want to interfere in political matters,” he said. shortly after his ordination by papal mandate on July 7. “I think that the Holy See’s position on the ordinations is very clear, from the points of view of Bishop Ma is believed to be staying at the Sheshan both Church doctrine and correct procedure,” he Seminary in Shanghai, though this has not been said. independently confirmed. Fr Lombardi added that “it is difficult to explain these “The situation is now not positive and it is a pity after to people who think within a different framework an ordination that for us has been a source of joy and and think they have a say” in religious matters. satisfaction,” he said.

Bishop Ma said during his ordination that he This article was written by Alessandro Speciale, would give up his position as vice chair of the Vatican City local government-sanctioned Catholic Patriotic www.ucanews.com Association as well as his standing membership in the July 12, 2012

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