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On his elevation to cardinal, the head of the Hong Kong Catholic diocese, Stephen Chow Sau-yan, has renewed calls for peace in a divided society and pledged to reach out to mainland China.
Both Rome and Beijing have bigger things to worry about than a deal on mutually acceptable bishops especially as Hong Kong’s top Catholic cleric travels to meet mainland counterpart.
Stephen Chow must balance his religious beliefs with the realities of today’s politics.
Pope Francis has made his clearest remarks yet on gay relationships, saying they should be legally protected in the form of a civil union. While this should not be confused with recognising same-sex marriages, critics cannot deny that progress has been made.
Despite pressure from the US and criticism that the agreement has so far achieved little, any move towards what supporters hope will be an eventual reconciliation is good for both sides.
Rapprochement with the Holy See will prove that the communist central government can be a trustworthy partner with major religious authorities around the world.
It may have taken the Pope nearly a year to confirm a bishop under an agreement with Beijing, but it is still cause for celebration.
- Chow was among 21 bishops promoted in ceremony hosted by pontiff at St Peter’s Square, making him fourth in city’s history to hold the title
- He tells Vatican News he would like to see ties between China and the universal church ‘come closer’
‘Relations with China are very respectful, very. I have a great admiration for the Chinese people,’ the pope told reporters on his flight back to Rome on Monday.
The pontiff says Mongolia’s tradition of living in harmony with nature and its creatures ‘can contribute significantly’ to efforts to protect Earth.
Pope Francis sent a message of ‘unity and peace’ to China as he made his first trip to Buddhist-majority Mongolia.
Pope Francis has named Bishop Joseph Shen Bin to head the vacant Shanghai diocese after China moved him from Jiangsu province earlier this year in an apparent violation of a bilateral pact.
Bishop Stephen Chow acknowledges recent call for patriotism could spark ‘complicated emotions’, but says faith can help teach people to love country, church.
Bishop Stephen Chow’s five-day trip marks first time city’s top Catholic cleric has visited Beijing since Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule.
Five-day visit by Bishop Stephen Chow marks first time local top Catholic cleric has made Beijing trip since Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule.
The move to transfer Bishop Shen Bin from Haimen to the largest Roman Catholic diocese in the country appears to violate a secret pact between the 2 states.
Readers discuss lessons from the eight-year papacy of Benedict XVI, and the current information war around Ukraine.
Only six new bishops have been appointed since the deal was struck, which opponents say proves it is not producing desired effects.
Beijing turns down Vatican’s ‘expression of availability’ because Chinese president’s schedule is full, according to source.
Chen Chien-je, a former vice-president, will attend the ceremony to highlight ‘the close friendship’ between Taiwan and the Vatican.
Top political adviser Wang Yang met the newly elected leaders of two state-sponsored church bodies in China.
Opponents of the secret agreement which comes up for renewal in October include former Hong Kong archbishop Joseph Zen.
In 1988, Pope John Paul II elevated Catholic Bishop John Baptist Wu Cheng-chung to Cardinal. The Hongkonger would ‘play an important role in the initiative to improve Sino-Vatican relations’.
Ministry criticises ‘illegal seizure’ after Daniel Ortega’s government confiscates embassy compound and other assets Taipei had donated to Catholic archdiocese.
The Holy See is taking a wait and see approach to cutting ties with Taipei and connecting with Beijing, analysts say.
Cui Qingqi, the sixth appointment under the 2018 pact, is trusted by Beijing and heads the local Catholic Church bodies overseen by the Communist Party.
Observers say Stephen Chow’s measured tone and political wisdom make him a neutral figure acceptable to city’s politically divided Catholics.
Observers say the long-awaited appointment is a prudent choice for the city’s polarised Catholic community since the 62-year-old ‘has not displayed any obvious political leanings’.
In a decree signed on Tuesday, the Pope noted that the Holy See’s finances have been marked by several years of deficit. Worsening those financial woes, the pope wrote, was the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cardinal-designate Wilton Gregory, archbishop of Washington DC, is becoming the first African-American cardinal.
In new book, pontiff names Muslim minority in Xinjiang alongside the Rohingya and Yazidi, while also talking about persecuted Christians in Islamic countries.
A hard-fought presidential election has caused sharp divisions in the bishops’ own ranks.
Pontiff has three nominations to consider after an earlier announcement was postponed, according to informed source.
