Associated Press
Vatican City – Pope Benedict XVI said Friday the Vatican is willing to have “serene and constructive” talks with Chinese authorities to solve the problems of the Catholic community in the country.
Benedict recalled a letter he sent to all Catholics in China in June, in which he praised the underground faithful but urged them to reconcile with followers in the official church.
“With this letter, I wanted to express both my deep spiritual affection for all Catholics in China and a cordial esteem for the Chinese people,” the pontiff said in his traditional holiday remarks to the prelates who run Vatican offices.
In the letter, the pope added, “I have indicated the willingness of the Holy See for a serene and constructive dialogue with the civil authorities with the goal of finding a solution to the various problems of the Catholic community.”
Benedict said that Chinese Catholics received the letter with “joy and gratitude” and said he hoped it would “bear the hoped-for fruits.”
This year, the pope has stepped up efforts to improve church relations with China.
China forced its Roman Catholics to cut ties with the Vatican in 1951, shortly after the officially atheist Communist Party took power. Worship is allowed only in state-backed churches, which recognize the pope as a spiritual leader but appoint their own priests and bishops.
Millions of Chinese, however, belong to unofficial congregations that are not registered with the authorities.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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posted December 21, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Coke, McDonald’s, Catholicism. There’s a lot of money to be made there; who wouldn’t want in?
posted December 21, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Two immovable objects meet – but no irresisable force. Makes you wonder if there is any expectation of change. We can always hope.
posted December 21, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Like the title of this article, “Pope Willing to Talk to China.” As the Church Lady (SNL) says, “Well, isn’t that Special?”
I don’t think the Chinese really want Benny as the Boss of the RCC in China, so not much is going to change.
posted December 24, 2007 at 11:36 am
Merry Christmas to all – have a joyous night and a gracious Christmas Day – full of surprises and unexpected delights!
Peace and good will to all – especially any sparring partners on these marvelous pages.
Hope and wonder to all my friends – no matter what you religious persuasion or inclination.
Look to the stars – there are glorious things yet to behold in the planets and nubulae.
posted December 24, 2007 at 7:09 pm
To all here, a very Merry Christmas or a Happy Yule, but if not celebrating, may you enjoy your day off. Wishing you health and happiness.
Looking forward to our future discussions. I feel that we are like family, even when we don’t agree on things, and am glad that this site exists, as it has expanded my “family” far beyond the boundries of where I live.
posted December 29, 2007 at 8:21 am
I noticed where the Pope recently on short notice cancelled a meeting with the Dali Lama and now the Pope wants to warmup to the Chinese Government on behalf of Catholics in China. I feel the pope`s efforts would be better spend rescheduling to see the Dali Lama raher than selling out to the Chinese Government by disrespecting the Dali Lama.