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HONG KONG: The pinnacle of the Catholic church in China started a visit to Hong Kong on Tuesday on the invitation of town’s pope-appointed Roman Catholic cardinal, marking the primary official go to by a Beijing bishop in historical past.
Joseph Li, who was put in by China’s state-controlled Catholic church as an archbishop, visited the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception within the morning, public broadcaster RTHK mentioned.
Li’s five-day tour got here after town’s newly put in Cardinal Stephen Chow invited him to go to Hong Kong throughout a landmark journey to Beijing in April – the primary go to to the Chinese language capital by town’s bishop in almost three many years. Specialists mentioned the invitation was a symbolic gesture that would strengthen the delicate relationship between China and the Vatican.
Earlier this month, Chow mentioned his job is to foster higher communication between the perimeters, and underscored the significance of human connections when requested in regards to the significance of Li’s go to.
The Hong Kong diocese mentioned Li would meet with Chow and “totally different diocesan places of work to advertise exchanges and interactions between the 2 dioceses.” It mentioned that is the primary time a Beijing bishop has formally visited Hong Kong, with out disclosing additional particulars about Li’s journey.
Li took half in a night prayer service at a chapel on Monday and exchanged presents with Chow, based on Sunday Examiner, a publication operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. It added Li would go to academic organizations and the Holy Spirit Seminary.
Beijing and the Vatican severed diplomatic ties in 1951 following the Communist Celebration’s rise to energy and the expulsion of international clergymen. Because the break in ties, Catholics in China have been divided between those that belong to an official, state-sanctioned church and people in an underground church loyal to the pope. The Vatican acknowledges members of each as Catholics however claims the unique proper to decide on bishops.
The set up of Li in 2007, nonetheless, was well-regarded by the Vatican and church officers at the moment mentioned it was accomplished with its approval.
The Vatican and China signed an accord in 2018 over the thorny situation of bishop nominations, however Beijing has violated it. Most just lately Pope Francis was compelled to just accept the unilateral appointment of a brand new bishop of Shanghai.
Francis in September insisted that the Vatican’s relations with China had been going effectively however mentioned work should nonetheless be accomplished to point out Beijing that the Catholic church is not beholden to a international energy. Throughout his journey to Mongolia that month, he additionally despatched a particular greeting to China’s “noble” individuals, giving them a particular shout-out on the finish of a Mass.
The 2018 settlement has been harshly criticized by Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen, who was detained in Could final 12 months on suspicion of colluding with international forces underneath a Beijing-imposed nationwide safety legislation that jailed or silenced many activists. He was launched on bail and has but to be formally charged, however he and 5 others had been fined in a separate case final November for failing to register a now-defunct fund set as much as assist arrested protesters.
Joseph Li, who was put in by China’s state-controlled Catholic church as an archbishop, visited the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception within the morning, public broadcaster RTHK mentioned.
Li’s five-day tour got here after town’s newly put in Cardinal Stephen Chow invited him to go to Hong Kong throughout a landmark journey to Beijing in April – the primary go to to the Chinese language capital by town’s bishop in almost three many years. Specialists mentioned the invitation was a symbolic gesture that would strengthen the delicate relationship between China and the Vatican.
Earlier this month, Chow mentioned his job is to foster higher communication between the perimeters, and underscored the significance of human connections when requested in regards to the significance of Li’s go to.
The Hong Kong diocese mentioned Li would meet with Chow and “totally different diocesan places of work to advertise exchanges and interactions between the 2 dioceses.” It mentioned that is the primary time a Beijing bishop has formally visited Hong Kong, with out disclosing additional particulars about Li’s journey.
Li took half in a night prayer service at a chapel on Monday and exchanged presents with Chow, based on Sunday Examiner, a publication operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. It added Li would go to academic organizations and the Holy Spirit Seminary.
Beijing and the Vatican severed diplomatic ties in 1951 following the Communist Celebration’s rise to energy and the expulsion of international clergymen. Because the break in ties, Catholics in China have been divided between those that belong to an official, state-sanctioned church and people in an underground church loyal to the pope. The Vatican acknowledges members of each as Catholics however claims the unique proper to decide on bishops.
The set up of Li in 2007, nonetheless, was well-regarded by the Vatican and church officers at the moment mentioned it was accomplished with its approval.
The Vatican and China signed an accord in 2018 over the thorny situation of bishop nominations, however Beijing has violated it. Most just lately Pope Francis was compelled to just accept the unilateral appointment of a brand new bishop of Shanghai.
Francis in September insisted that the Vatican’s relations with China had been going effectively however mentioned work should nonetheless be accomplished to point out Beijing that the Catholic church is not beholden to a international energy. Throughout his journey to Mongolia that month, he additionally despatched a particular greeting to China’s “noble” individuals, giving them a particular shout-out on the finish of a Mass.
The 2018 settlement has been harshly criticized by Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen, who was detained in Could final 12 months on suspicion of colluding with international forces underneath a Beijing-imposed nationwide safety legislation that jailed or silenced many activists. He was launched on bail and has but to be formally charged, however he and 5 others had been fined in a separate case final November for failing to register a now-defunct fund set as much as assist arrested protesters.
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