I appreciate this analysis Ed. The Pillar's dedication to covering stories that don't get a ton of attention, and the obvious effort that goes into to covering these complicated negotiations well, is why I happily subscribe.
And, on coming back to the article, let's all pray for the material and spiritual wellbeing of Bishop Shi and his flock, and all the courageous underground Chinese Catholics.
Since the article doesn't mention what the CCCP gets in return -- and the CCCP ALWAYS gets something in return, especially since it holds all the cards here -- this "development" seems much ado about nothing. The fact that the Vatican is "satisfied" with it says nothing.
It is reasonable, then, to ask what Tuesday’s news does for the CPCA and CCP.
Thinking narrowly, it is possible local authorities see the acceptance of Shi as an opportunity to secure his endorsement for a possible CPCA coadjutor to succeed him, and in doing so establish a timeline for bringing Tianjin’s nearly 60,000 underground Catholics under state oversight.
It could also be that the CPCA hopes to use Shi in a kind of bait-and-switch PR coup for the state sanctioned Church, spinning his acceptance by the state authority as his having in fact joined the CPCA — and presenting this as reason for the approximately two dozen other underground bishops to do so as well.
Thanks - very good article . Thanks for giving the quote of the new formula. The venerated bishop obviously will have a different understanding of sinicization than the CP and the CPCA. His will be what the Church views under inculturation and even ecclesial subsidiarity. And his insistence upon a civil forum also shows his interpretation of what his loyalty and submission entail .
Good reporting on CCP vs Vatican aside, this was my main takeaway - what a bishop! What a shepherd after Christs own heart! And at 95 still going hard enough to force it at a hotel! Like can this man start giving seminars 😆
How does the COO fit in with the Vatican’s engagement with the Chinese government?
Sorry, couldn’t resist a brain teaser for the canon lawyers ;-)
I appreciate this analysis Ed. The Pillar's dedication to covering stories that don't get a ton of attention, and the obvious effort that goes into to covering these complicated negotiations well, is why I happily subscribe.
And, on coming back to the article, let's all pray for the material and spiritual wellbeing of Bishop Shi and his flock, and all the courageous underground Chinese Catholics.
Since the article doesn't mention what the CCCP gets in return -- and the CCCP ALWAYS gets something in return, especially since it holds all the cards here -- this "development" seems much ado about nothing. The fact that the Vatican is "satisfied" with it says nothing.
It actually does mention it. See below
It is reasonable, then, to ask what Tuesday’s news does for the CPCA and CCP.
Thinking narrowly, it is possible local authorities see the acceptance of Shi as an opportunity to secure his endorsement for a possible CPCA coadjutor to succeed him, and in doing so establish a timeline for bringing Tianjin’s nearly 60,000 underground Catholics under state oversight.
It could also be that the CPCA hopes to use Shi in a kind of bait-and-switch PR coup for the state sanctioned Church, spinning his acceptance by the state authority as his having in fact joined the CPCA — and presenting this as reason for the approximately two dozen other underground bishops to do so as well.
Thanks - very good article . Thanks for giving the quote of the new formula. The venerated bishop obviously will have a different understanding of sinicization than the CP and the CPCA. His will be what the Church views under inculturation and even ecclesial subsidiarity. And his insistence upon a civil forum also shows his interpretation of what his loyalty and submission entail .
Politics aside, a 95-year-old diocesan bishop who has been opposing the communist party for decades...could be the world's most interesting man!
Good reporting on CCP vs Vatican aside, this was my main takeaway - what a bishop! What a shepherd after Christs own heart! And at 95 still going hard enough to force it at a hotel! Like can this man start giving seminars 😆