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Patsy Moy

Bishop Zen says a Chinese visit was  the unfulfilled dream of John Paul II

It was 'the greatest desire' of Pope John Paul II to visit China, but this aspiration was thwarted by Beijing and the Hong Kong government, says the local head of the Catholic Church.

Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun   criticised the mainland for being 'unfriendly' and 'showing no interest' in opening dialogue with the Vatican.

He also warned that the deadlock would not be broken unless Beijing changed its attitude.

'He [the Pope] went round the world after his flock. One regret was certainly not having the chance to visit China; even the attempts to visit Hong Kong failed ... To visit China or maybe also Russia must [have been] the greatest desire of his heart,' Bishop Zen said yesterday.

'The Pope wanted to come to Hong Kong to conclude the bishop synod [in 1999]. We  tried our best [to bring him here] but the answer [from the Hong Kong government] was no. I think it would have been a big gain for everybody if the Pope could have come to Hong Kong.'

The outspoken bishop also said that it was 'completely inappropriate' for Beijing to demand that the Vatican sever its relationship with Taiwan as a precondition for talks.

'Beijing expressed concern for the health of the Pope. Unfortunately, they just repeat the same thing - if the Holy See wants to have a relationship, then it has to renounce its relations with Taiwan and stop interfering with the internal affairs of China. That is not very friendly.'

Bishop Zen said that the Pope had made all possible concessions towards Beijing that any pope could, so there  was no reason for the stance of the Catholic Church  to change.

'The Vatican is so eager to open dialogue with Beijing but Beijing does not seem to be interested ... Objectively, the passing away of the Pope and the election of the new pope should not influence the decision - the decision is on the part of the Beijing authorities.

'Any future pope will not be able to make more concessions than the Pope was able to make,' Bishop Zen said.

Asked about rumours of a secret cardinal appointed in the underground church in the mainland, he said 'the secret has gone with the Pope to heaven'.

Bishop Zen  also recalled his meetings with the Pope on several occasions. 'He was very warm towards Chinese people and told me that he always prayed for us.

'He loved everybody with no distinctions of race or religion; he had a predilection for the small, the weak. He did not fear the powerful, he defended justice and promoted charity.'

The Security Bureau yesterday refused to comment on Bishop Zen's criticisms. Acting Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, who is  a devout Catholic, declined to take any questions yesterday after he made his statement over the death of the Pope.

The city's religious freedoms came into question  when the Hong Kong government turned down the plan by the Pope  to visit the city in November 1999.

Then chief executive Tung Chee-hwa upheld the view expressed by Beijing that a papal visit was impossible because the Vatican had diplomatic relations with Taiwan.



Beijing, HK 'thwarted dearest wish of pontiff'