MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO THE CATHOLICS OF CHINA AND TO THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
TO THE CATHOLICS OF CHINA AND TO THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
“Eternal is his merciful
love;
He is faithful from age to age”
He is faithful from age to age”
(Psalm 100:5)
Dear brother bishops, priests, consecrated men and women and all
the faithful of the Catholic Church in China, let us thank the Lord, for
“eternal is his merciful love! He made us, we belong to him; we are his people,
the sheep of his flock” (Ps 100:3).
At this moment, my heart echoes the words of exhortation addressed
to you by my venerable predecessor in his Letter of 27 May 2007: “Catholic Church in
China, you are a small flock present and active within the vastness of an
immense people journeying through history. How stirring and encouraging these
words of Jesus are for you: ‘Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s
pleasure to give you the kingdom’ (Lk 12:32)! … Therefore, ‘let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to
your Father who is in heaven’ (Mt 5:16)” (BENEDICT XVI, Letter to Chinese Catholics, 27 May 2007,
5).
1. Of late, many conflicting reports have circulated about the
present and, in particular, the future of the Catholic communities in China. I
am aware that this flurry of thoughts and opinions may have caused a certain
confusion and prompted different reactions in the hearts of many. Some feel
doubt and perplexity, while others sense themselves somehow abandoned by the
Holy See and anxiously question the value of their sufferings endured out of
fidelity to the Successor of Peter. In many others, there prevail positive
expectations and reflections inspired by the hope of a more serene future for a
fruitful witness to the faith in China.
This situation has become more acute, particularly with regard to
the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of
China, which, as you know, was signed in recent days in Beijing. At so
significant a moment for the life of the Church, I want to assure you through
this brief Message that you are daily present in my prayers, and to share with
you my heartfelt feelings.
They are sentiments of thanksgiving to the Lord and of sincere
admiration – which is the admiration of the entire Catholic Church – for the
gift of your fidelity, your constancy amid trials, and your firm trust in God’s
providence, even when certain situations proved particularly adverse and
difficult.
These painful experiences are part of the spiritual treasury of
the Church in China and of all God’s pilgrim people on earth. I assure you that
the Lord, through the crucible of our trials, never fails to pour out his
consolations upon us and to prepare us for an even greater joy. In the words of
the Psalmist, we are more than certain that “those who are sowing in tears,
will sing when they reap” (Ps 126[125]:5).
Let us continue to look, then, to the example of all those
faithful laity and pastors who readily offered their “good witness” (cf. 1
Tim 6:13) to the Gospel, even to the sacrifice of their own lives.
They showed themselves true friends of God!
2. For my part, I have always looked upon China as a land of great
opportunities and the Chinese people as the creators and guardians of an
inestimable patrimony of culture and wisdom, refined by resisting adversity and
embracing diversity, and which, not by chance, entered into contact from early
times with the Christian message. As Father Matteo Ricci, S.J., perceptively
noted in challenging us to the virtue of trust, “before entering into
friendship, one must observe; after becoming friends, one must trust” (De
Amicitia, 7).
I too am convinced that encounter can be authentic and fruitful
only if it occurs through the practice of dialogue, which involves coming to
know one another, to respect one another and to “walk together” for the sake of
building a common future of sublime harmony.
This is the context in which to view the Provisional Agreement,
which is the result of a lengthy and complex institutional dialogue between the
Holy See and the Chinese authorities initiated by Saint John Paul II and continued by Pope Benedict XVI. Through this process, the Holy See
has desired – and continues to desire – only to attain the Church’s specific
spiritual and pastoral aims, namely, to support and advance the preaching of
the Gospel, and to reestablish and preserve the full and visible unity of the
Catholic community in China.
With regard to the importance of this Agreement and its aims, I
would like to share with you a few reflections and provide you with some input
of a spiritual pastoral nature for the journey we are called to undertake in
this new phase.
It is a journey that, as in its earlier stages, “requires time and
presupposes the good will of both parties” (BENEDICT XVI, Letter to Chinese Catholics, 27 May 2007,
4). But for the Church, within and outside of China, this involves more than
simply respecting human values. It is also a spiritual calling: to go out from
herself to embrace “the joys and the hopes, the grief and anguish of the people
of our time, especially those who are poor or afflicted” (SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Pastoral
Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 1) and the challenges of
the present that God entrusts to us. It is thus an ecclesial summons to become
pilgrims along the paths of history, trusting before all else in God and in his
promises, as did Abraham and our fathers in the faith.
Called by God, Abraham obeyed by setting out for an unknown land
that he was to receive as an inheritance, without knowing the path that lay
ahead. Had Abraham demanded ideal social and political conditions before
leaving his land, perhaps he would never have set out. Instead, he trusted in
God and in response to God’s word he left his home and its safety. It was not
historical changes that made him put his trust in God; rather, it was his pure
faith that brought about a change in history. For faith is “the assurance of
things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our
ancestors received [God’s] approval” (Heb 11:1-2).
3. As the Successor of Peter, I want to confirm you in this faith
(cf. Lk 22:32) – in the faith of Abraham, in the faith of the
Virgin Mary, in the faith you have received –and to ask you to place your trust
ever more firmly in the Lord of history and in the Church’s discernment of his
will. May all of us implore the gift of the Spirit to illumine our minds, warm
our hearts and help us to understand where he would lead us, in order to
overcome inevitable moments of bewilderment, and to find the strength to set
out resolutely on the road ahead.
Precisely for the sake of supporting and promoting the preaching
of the Gospel in China and reestablishing full and visible unity in the Church,
it was essential, before all else, to deal with the issue of the appointment of
bishops. Regrettably, as we know, the recent history of the Catholic Church in
China has been marked by deep and painful tensions, hurts and divisions,
centred especially on the figure of the bishop as the guardian of the
authenticity of the faith and as guarantor of ecclesial communion.
When, in the past, it was presumed to determine the internal life
of the Catholic communities, imposing direct control above and beyond the
legitimate competence of the state, the phenomenon of clandestinity arose in
the Church in China. This experience – it must be emphasized – is not a normal
part of the life of the Church and “history shows that pastors and faithful
have recourse to it only amid suffering, in the desire to maintain the
integrity of their faith” (BENEDICT XVI, Letter to Chinese Catholics, 27 May 2007,
8).
I would have you know that, from the time I was entrusted with the
Petrine ministry, I have experienced great consolation in knowing the heartfelt
desire of Chinese Catholics to live their faith in full communion with the
universal Church and with the Successor of Peter, who is “the perpetual and
visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole
company of the faithful” (SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Dogmatic
Constitution Lumen Gentium, 23). In these years, I have
received numerous concrete signs and testimonies of that desire, including from
bishops who have damaged communion in the Church as a result of weakness and
errors, but also, and not infrequently, due to powerful and undue pressure from
without.
Consequently, after carefully examining every individual personal
situation, and listening to different points of view, I have devoted much time
to reflection and prayer, seeking the true good of the Church in China. In the
end, before the Lord and with serenity of judgment, in continuity with the
direction set by my immediate predecessors, I have determined to grant
reconciliation to the remaining seven “official” bishops ordained without papal
mandate and, having lifted every relevant canonical sanction, to readmit them
to full ecclesial communion. At the same time, I ask them to express with
concrete and visible gestures their restored unity with the Apostolic See and
with the Churches spread throughout the world, and to remain faithful despite
any difficulties.
4. In the sixth year of my Pontificate, which I have placed from
the beginning under the banner of God’s merciful love, I now invite all Chinese
Catholics to work towards reconciliation. May all be mindful, with renewed
apostolic zeal, of the words of Saint Paul: “God… has reconciled us to himself
through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2
Cor 5:18).
Indeed, as I wrote at the conclusion of the Extraordinary Jubilee
of Mercy, “no law or precept can prevent God from once more embracing the son
who returns to him admitting that he has done wrong but intending to start his
life anew. Remaining only at the level of the law is equivalent to thwarting
faith and divine mercy… Even in the most complex cases, where there is a
temptation to apply a justice derived from rules alone, we must believe in the
power flowing from divine grace”(Apostolic Letter Misericordia et Misera, 20 November 2016,
11).
In this spirit, and in line with the decisions that have been
made, we can initiate an unprecedented process that we hope will help to heal
the wounds of the past, restore full communion among all Chinese Catholics, and
lead to a phase of greater fraternal cooperation, in order to renew our
commitment to the mission of proclaiming the Gospel. For the Church exists for
the sake of bearing witness to Jesus Christ and to the forgiving and saving
love of the Father.
5. The Provisional Agreement signed with the Chinese authorities,
while limited to certain aspects of the Church’s life and necessarily capable
of improvement, can contribute – for its part – to writing this new chapter of
the Catholic Church in China. For the first time, the Agreement sets out stable
elements of cooperation between the state authorities and the Apostolic See, in
the hope of providing the Catholic community with good shepherds.
In this context, the Holy See intends fully to play its own part.
Yet an important part also falls to you, the bishops, priests, consecrated men
and women, and lay faithful: to join in seeking good candidates capable of
taking up in the Church the demanding and important ministry of bishop. It is
not a question of appointing functionaries to deal with religious issues, but
of finding authentic shepherds according to the heart of Jesus, men committed
to working generously in the service of God’s people, especially the poor and
the most vulnerable. Men who take seriously the Lord’s words: “Whoever would
become great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among
you must be the slave of all” (Mk 10:43-44).
In this regard, it seems clear that an Agreement is merely an
instrument, and not of itself capable of resolving all existing problems.
Indeed, it will prove ineffective and unproductive, unless it is accompanied by
a deep commitment to renewing personal attitudes and ecclesial forms of
conduct.
6. On the pastoral level, the Catholic community in China is
called to be united, so as to overcome the divisions of the past that have
caused, and continue to cause great suffering in the hearts of many pastors and
faithful. All Christians, none excluded, must now offer gestures of
reconciliation and communion. In this regard, let us keep in mind the
admonition of Saint John of the Cross: “In the evening of life, we will be
judged on love” (Dichos, 64).
On the civil and political level, Chinese Catholics must be good
citizens, loving their homeland and serving their country with diligence and
honesty, to the best of their ability. On the ethical level, they should be
aware that many of their fellow citizens expect from them a greater commitment
to the service of the common good and the harmonious growth of society as a
whole. In particular, Catholics ought to make a prophetic and constructive
contribution born of their faith in the kingdom of God. At times, this may also
require of them the effort to offer a word of criticism, not out of sterile
opposition, but for the sake of building a society that is more just, humane
and respectful of the dignity of each person.
7. I now turn to you, my brother bishops, priests and consecrated
persons who “serve the Lord with gladness” (Ps 100:2). Let us
recognize one another as followers of Christ in the service of God’s people.
Let us make pastoral charity the compass for our ministry. Let us leave behind
past conflicts and attempts to pursue our own interests, and care for the
faithful, making our own their joys and their sufferings. Let us work humbly
for reconciliation and unity. With energy and enthusiasm, let us take up the
path of evangelization indicated by the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council.
To everyone, I say once more with great affection: “Let us be
inspired to act by the example of all those priests, religious, and laity who
devote themselves to proclamation and to serving others with great fidelity,
often at the risk of their lives and certainly at the cost of their comfort.
Their testimony reminds us that, more than bureaucrats and functionaries, the
Church needs passionate missionaries, enthusiastic about sharing true life. The
saints surprise us; they confound us, because by their lives they urge us to
abandon a dull and dreary mediocrity” (Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate, 19 March 2018, 138).
I ask you wholeheartedly to beg for the grace not to hesitate when
the Spirit calls us to take a step forward: “Let us ask for the apostolic
courage to share the Gospel with others and to stop trying to make our
Christian life a museum of memories. In every situation, may the Holy Spirit
cause us to contemplate history in the light of the risen Jesus. In this way,
the Church will not stand still, but constantly welcome the Lord’s surprises” (ibid., 139).
8. In this year, when the entire Church celebrates the Synod on Young People, I would like to say a
special word to you, young Chinese Catholics, who enter the gates of the house
of the Lord “giving thanks [and] with songs of praise” (Ps 100:4).
I ask you to cooperate in building the future of your country with the talents
and gifts that you have received, and with the youthfulness of your faith. I
encourage you to bring, by your enthusiasm, the joy of the Gospel to everyone
you meet.
Be ready to accept the sure guidance of the Holy Spirit, who shows
today’s world the path to reconciliation and peace. Let yourselves be surprised
by the renewing power of grace, even when it may seem that the Lord is asking
more of you than you think you can give. Do not be afraid to listen to his
voice as he calls you to fraternity, encounter, capacity for dialogue and
forgiveness, and a spirit of service, regardless of the painful experiences of
the recent past and wounds not yet healed.
Open your hearts and minds to discern the merciful plan of God,
who asks us to rise above personal prejudices and conflicts between groups and
communities, in order to undertake a courageous fraternal journey in the light
of an authentic culture of encounter.
Nowadays there is no lack of temptations: the pride born of
worldly success, narrow-mindedness and absorption in material things, as if God
did not exist. Go against the flow and stand firm in the Lord: “for he is good;
eternal is his merciful love; he is faithful from age to age” (Ps 100:5).
9. Dear brothers and sisters of the universal Church, all of us
are called to recognize as one of the signs of our times everything that is
happening today in the life of the Church in China. We have an important duty:
to accompany our brothers and sisters in China with fervent prayer and
fraternal friendship. Indeed, they need to feel that in the journey that now
lies ahead, they are not alone. They need to be accepted and supported as a
vital part of the Church. “How good and pleasant it is, when brothers dwell
together in unity!” (Ps 133:1).
Each local Catholic community in every part of the world should
make an effort to appreciate and integrate the spiritual and cultural treasures
proper to Chinese Catholics. The time has come to taste together the genuine
fruits of the Gospel sown in the ancient “Middle Kingdom” and to raise to the
Lord Jesus Christ a hymn of faith and thanksgiving, enriched by authentically
Chinese notes.
10. I now turn with respect to the leaders of the People’s
Republic of China and renew my invitation to continue, with trust, courage and
farsightedness, the dialogue begun some time ago. I wish to assure them that
the Holy See will continue to work sincerely for the growth of genuine
friendship with the Chinese people.
The present contacts between the Holy See and the Chinese
government are proving useful for overcoming past differences, even those of
the more recent past, and for opening a new chapter of more serene and
practical cooperation, in the shared conviction that “incomprehension [serves]
the interests of neither the Chinese people nor the Catholic Church in China” (BENEDICT XVI, Letter to Chinese Catholics, 27 May 2007,
4).
In this way, China and the Apostolic See, called by history to an
arduous yet exciting task, will be able to act more positively for the orderly
and harmonious growth of the Catholic community in China. They will make
efforts to promote the integral development of society by ensuring greater
respect for the human person, also in the religious sphere, and will work
concretely to protect the environment in which we live and to build a future of
peace and fraternity between peoples.
In China, it is essential that, also on the local level, relations
between the leaders of ecclesial communities and the civil authorities become
more productive through frank dialogue and impartial listening, so as to
overcome antagonism on both sides. A new style of straightforward daily
cooperation needs to develop between local authorities and ecclesiastical
authorities – bishops, priests and community elders – in order to ensure that
pastoral activities take place in an orderly manner, in harmony with the legitimate
expectations of the faithful and the decisions of competent authorities.
This will help make it clear that the Church in China is not
oblivious to Chinese history, nor does she seek any privilege. Her aim in the
dialogue with civil authorities is that of “building a relationship based on
mutual respect and deeper understanding” (ibid.).
11. In the name of the whole Church, I beg the Lord for the gift
of peace, and I invite all to join me in invoking the maternal protection of
the Virgin Mary:
Virgin of Hope, we entrust to you the journey of the
faithful in the noble land of China. We ask you to present to the Lord of
history the trials and tribulations, the petitions and the hopes of all those
who pray to you, O Queen of Heaven!
Mother of the Church, we consecrate to you the present and
the future of our families and our communities. Protect and sustain them in
fraternal reconciliation and in service to the poor who bless your name, O
Queen of Heaven!
Consolation of the Afflicted, we turn to you, for you are
the refuge of all who weep amid their trials. Watch over your sons and
daughters who praise your name; make them one in bringing the proclamation of
the Gospel. Accompany their efforts to build a more fraternal world.
Grant that they may bring the joy of forgiveness to all whom they meet, O Queen
of Heaven!
Mary, Help of Christians, for China we implore days of
blessing and of peace. Amen!
From the Vatican, 26 September 2018
FRANCIS
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