Cardinal John Tong Hon has voiced support for a proposed deal on the appointment of bishops between the Vatican and China, saying he believes the Chinese government has generally become more tolerant, and an accord would help bring further openness and unity to the Church.
Cardinal Tong is the Bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, and spoke at a March 22-23 conference titled “Christianity in the Chinese Society: Impact, Interaction and Inculturation” taking place at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
His Eminence is one of two Chinese cardinals, the other is his predecessor, Cardinal Joseph Zen.
While Cardinal Zen has consistently been an outspoken critic of the proposed deal, Cardinal Hon holds a different opinion.
Cardinal Hon said opposition to the accord is “unreasonable,” because the accord aims at unity. He called the agreement “far-sighted” and said at times, sacrifice is necessary in order for Catholics to become “members of one family.”
The pact – which would allegedly follow the model of the Vatican's agreement with Vietnam, allowing the Holy See to pick bishops from a selection of candidates proposed by the government – is rumored to be “imminent.”
Cardinal Zen indicated that, if the deal is reached, he said he would “retire in silence” and would “hide and pray,” but that he would not oppose the Pope.
Certainly, how one Prelate can be so opposed and another so enthusiastic is astonishing.
As in most instances, the truth of the matter probably lies in the middle somewhere.
In any case, the Church should be wary and cautious in dealing with a Communist regime which has shown itself to be increasingly ruthless in defending its stranglehold over Chinese citizens, especially those who avow religious belief of any kind.
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