February 24, 2006
Bishop (soon to be Cardinal) Zen
BEIJING -- China yesterday warned Bishop Joseph Zen of Hong Kong, a leading critic of Beijing who was elevated to cardinal this week, not to mix religion with politics.
" We advocate that religious figures should not interfere with politics," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said.
" We hope that the Catholic Church in Hong Kong will cherish the stability, development and harmony of Hong Kong society," he said.
Stability is a code word in the Communist Party leadership for accepting its rule and, in Hong Kong's case, not demanding a more rapid transition to democracy.
Bishop Zen, 74, however, vowed to stick to his outspoken ways, saying he was too old to change his position on issues such as democracy and the rights of the persecuted underground Roman Catholic Church in China.
"I am over 70. There are things that will be hard to change," he said. "People say I am rebellious. But if you help the underprivileged, you have to speak louder or no one can hear you."
Don't interfere with politics, but we reserve the right to not only interfere with religion but to mandate the types of Churches you can have.
Posted by Jeff Miller at February 24, 2006 9:43 AM | TrackBackIt's interesting to see how Bishop Zen's government looks at his words as being "rocks". They don't like seeing them thrown their way. The louder he gets, the bigger the rocks I would think.
Sticks and stones.......could land him as a martyr. But I doubt this would stop him.
Posted by Ducky8 email at February 24, 2006 11:37 AMLove live the true Catholic Church in China!
Long live Cardinal Zen!
Posted by Jesse R. Edwards email at February 24, 2006 2:05 PMIT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN DANIEL.
Posted by JUSTIN MEYERING email at February 24, 2006 3:28 PMIt sounds like what Bishop Zen is implying with his statement about his age and views, is that it doesn't matter too much what they do to him, as he is going to die soon anyway.
Posted by Rose email at February 24, 2006 9:06 PMAnother worthy cause to add to my prayer intentions. I need to start using my Outlook calendar.
Posted by Dean email at February 24, 2006 9:17 PMThanks for commenting! It's an honor for me to be complimented by the Curt Jester!
Posted by Andy Z. email at February 24, 2006 10:04 PMIt is so wonderful he is to be a cardinal. Great call Papa!
Posted by Philip email at February 25, 2006 10:03 AMGiven the recent arrest in China of two more priests, it is good that Rome recognises the suffering of chinese Catholics by elevating Zen with the red hat. May Zen be a audible thorn in the side of China for years to come.
Posted by St. Jimbob of the Apokalypse email at February 25, 2006 10:12 AMAfter JPII died, there was a lot of speculation that Zen was the last "in pectore" cardinal that he named. We'll likely never know now, but JPII's love for China was well known.
I found it interesting to note that two bishops most thought to be JPII's "mystery" cardinal, Zen and Stanislaw Dwiwisz, will now both be officially so, thanks to Benedict XVI.
Posted by Nancy email at February 25, 2006 11:08 AMIt seems that the Commies in China have forgotten that Church can't not be involved when it comes to matters of religion, and thus pretty much have to get involved when politics seeks to conquer religion in the name of politics.
Posted by Elizabeth email at February 25, 2006 1:48 PMYet the Chinese were so frightened of a certain elderly Polish priest that they wouldn't let him into their country.
Posted by Nancy email at February 25, 2006 3:49 PMHey- I thought JPII the Great Brought down Communism? Oh, I forgot, he was only concerned about Poland!
Posted by John email at February 26, 2006 4:00 PMThat was uncalled for, John. The remaining communist regimes will have to each be brought down on their own terms. I think contributing tremendously to the implosion of the Soviet bloc (not just Poland by any stretch) constitutes more than a fair day's work for anybody.
Posted by Margaret email at February 27, 2006 12:19 AMJohn likes to make nasty comments when he can for some reason. I don't think he's Catholic, and if he is then....well, Like I said I don't think he's Catholic.
Posted by Ducky8 email at February 27, 2006 3:21 AMJohn, you are so right. JPII's visit to Cuba addressed the evils of Communism. He also set off firestorms of controversy during Central and South American visits when he reprimanded priests who advocated embracing Communism in the name of "liberation theology". But that wasn't nearly enough. Although even Our Lord didn't force people to turn from their evil ways, the popes should be able override people's freewill simply by speaking to them. And if they can't they should use the old standards: the rack and the hot coals. Anything less is simply unacceptable.
*end sarcasm*
Posted by Jean email at February 27, 2006 8:08 AMJohn likes to make nasty comments when he can for some reason. I don't think he's Catholic, and if he is then....well, Like I said I don't think he's Catholic.
He strikes me as an ultra-sour RadTrad (or is that redundant?).
Posted by Publius email at March 1, 2006 12:10 AM