As those of you who follow my work know, I am a Traditional Roman Catholic who raises questions about Church history, particularly–to keep it simple for what is mostly newcomers to this topic–the sweeping changes made in the 1960s.
Many know it goes deeper and beyond that in the scope of history, but simplicity must reign if we are to get Catholics to thinking and moving the Overton Window.
Souls are on the line, including my own, not whether or not anyone can impress with their knowledge of history.
First of all, let us hope this bishop was not involved in any “underground” nefarious activity himself. We all should understand what controlled opposition is. But based solely on surface level details…
When the underground bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo, leader of China’s underground Catholic Church who endured decades of persecution under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), died at age 90 almost two weeks ago now–and the Vatican remains silent–one has to ask: whose Church does Rome serve?
In 2009, Jia’s arrest led to a stalemate in negotiations between the Vatican and China’s state-approved Catholic Patriotic Association. Under the pontificate of Benedict XVI, Rome expressed caution in its relations with Chinese prelates, as persecution of the underground Church loyal to the Vatican intensified.
“Situations of this kind create obstacles to that constructive dialogue with the competent authorities.… This is not, unfortunately, an isolated case,” stated the Vatican commission.
After the Sino-Vatican agreement, overseen by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, this tone changed. As tensions grow within the Vatican regarding the Provisional Agreement with China, which grants the CCP authority in the appointment of bishops, many members of China’s underground Catholic Church feel abandoned by Rome.
The Vatican insisted in L’Osservatore Romano that the agreement was in the name of “unity.”
“The main purpose of the Provisional Agreement on the Appointment of Bishops in China is to support and promote the proclamation of the Gospel in those lands, reconstituting the full and visible unity of the Church,” stated the Vatican.
The unity the Vatican sought to achieve has yet to materialize, as persecution of Catholics in China continues.
Jia operated an orphanage in China for 30 years, enduring constant pressure from the Chinese government to remove the children from his care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CCP reportedly attempted to make him sign an agreement allowing his church to remain open only if he promised that no children under 18 would attend.
Remember, as we’ve been saying, beware of that cozy little word “unity.”
Continue reading at The Hayride