Wall Street Journal columnist William McGurn wrote about the Vatican’s secret deal (“The Vatican’s Unholy China Deal”) with the communist government in China. That act by Pope Francis certainly stands in contrast to the fictional Pope Paul VII, and a discussion amongst clergy in Deep Rough: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel.
Here’s part of what McGurn wrote:
The Catholic Church in China is being “murdered” while the Vatican stands idly by. So alleged Cardinal Joseph Zen in an appeal he sent to the world’s 223 cardinals in September but only recently made public...
“You can never compromise with a totalitarian regime because they want everything,” Cardinal Zen says. “Would you have encouraged St. Joseph to negotiate with Herod ?”...
[On the still-secret 2018 agreement between Beijing and Rome:] On Capitol Hill last week, Cardinal Zen likened it to the 1933 concordat Germany negotiated with the Vatican soon after Hitler became chancellor. Like the Nazis, who violated the concordat almost as soon as it was signed, China under Xi Jinping has only stepped up persecution since the deal was struck. Meanwhile, the price extracted has been high: the pope’s silence.
Shame on Pope Francis and the Vatican.
Here’s what I wrote via faction in Deep Rough related to this matter:
The conversation moved from personal updates to bouncing around on an assortment of topics, including golf, the upcoming baseball season, theology, church politics, and some good-natured ribbing of Tom Stone about being the only non-Catholic and non-Lutheran on the trip. But the topic of discussion that lasted the longest was about Xin Chen and his father being arrested in China.
At one point, Bishop Carolan noted, “I know that Pope Paul VII would never go down this path, but there is a significant push in the Catholic Church, from the diplomats more interested in statecraft rather than soul craft, to simply acquiesce in China, and have the Church officially recognize the bishops appointed by the communists.”
Ron asked, “What would that mean for the underground Church, its bishops and parishioners?”
Peter replied, “I would say that it would mean the end of the underground Church, that is, the faithful, independent Church that has been beyond communist infiltration and control.”
“I pray that never happens,” commented Ron.
Brett Matthews added, “So should we all.”
Zack asked, “Why do you think the Chinese government lets certain underground churches persist, while arresting others, like Pastor Chen?”
Stephen answered, “While there’s always state control in China, the severity tends to vary according to the preferences of who is in charge. It’s becoming increasingly clear that President Liang is a hardliner, and he’s begun to cut off strands of hope that were allowed to spread a bit. He’ll start with where it fits his immediate agenda, such as Pastor Chen. Then, it’s my assumption, he’ll hit more independent Protestant churches, and then when he feels invulnerable, Liang will come down on the underground Catholic Church.”
Peter said, “I think that’s a fair assessment – unfortunately.”
Stephen continued, “When you look at what’s going on in China, the Middle East and other Muslim nations, and a host of other countries, along with some rumblings even in the U.S. and Europe, it provides a reminder of how much work the Church broadly has to do in the world, in the public square. I’m the last person to claim that substantive disagreements don’t exist among Christians. Those differences matter, and we need to be working to resolve them. At the same time, those differences should not impede us from working together where we can and should, like unifying in fights against persecution, and for the protection and expansion of religious liberties.”
Peter said, “Pope Augustine understood that.”
Stephen, as well as others in the van, knew that firsthand, given the late Augustine’s “Public Mission for Mere Christianity.” Memories flooded Stephen’s mind. He replied, “He most certainly did.”
Peter added, “I know Pope Paul VII understands this as well.”
Tom commented, “I think you’re right, Peter, but I have to say it would be helpful if Paul VII was more overt about such matters.”
Stephen added, “I was disappointed that there was no follow-through on Augustine’s ‘Public Mission for Mere Christianity.’”
Those observations generated nods of agreement in the vehicle, including from Peter and Ron.
The conversation about persecution continued for a while. Stephen made a mental note that Richard merely listened. That conversation was followed by some reflective quiet.
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