The Church in China

Of Adam Minter's Atlantic profile of Shanghai's Bishop Jin Luxian and his tightrope walk between Rome and Beijing, Richard John Neuhaus writes:

It is most regrettable that Minter thinks it necessary to take a slap at Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong, who is a man of enormous courage and a real hero in the cause of religious and other freedoms. Another China-watcher is concerned that Minter is uncritically admiring of Bishop Jin Luxian of Shanghai, who, while undoubtedly having paid a steep price for “keeping faith,” is viewed by many Chinese Catholics as having compromised himself by frequent cooperation with the regime’s repression of fellow believers.

Fr. Neuhaus is correct that the piece is quite favorable to Jin, but I'm not sure he's right to say that it takes a swipe at Cardinal Zen. Here's what I take to be the passage in question:

During one of our interviews, Jin contrasted himself with the outspoken Joseph Zen, who has become a well-known agitator against the CPA since taking over as archbishop of Hong Kong. “You cannot speak out as a bishop in a Communist country,” Jin says. “I can’t freely speak like Zen, because I must protect my diocese.” Withholding criticism of China’s religious authorities and their policies is perhaps the greatest compromise that the open-Church bishops choose to make.

I think you can take this quote as Jin expressing envy of Zen's ability to be outspoken (because of Hong Kong's peculiar position within China), or as Jin being defensive about the moral compromises he's chosen to make over the years - or, most likely, some combination thereof. But I don't think it's fair to call it "a slap."

Comments

Totally predictable over-reaction from Neuhaus on anything that might even remotely, remotely smack of a world communist conspiracy to undermine Catholicism. I swear, this guy sometimes takes a time machine to 1983.

I was surprised that you didn't have anything to blog on the Pope's letter, especially considering the Atlantic's piece. You guys seems to have pretty much nailed it in that piece.

Posted by NeuHaus_SemiFan | July 9, 2007 7:28 PM

Are you going to comment on th Motu Propio, or what? You may have heard of it; it concerns the Mass. Are you really a Catholic?

Posted by Aaron | July 9, 2007 11:49 PM

The interesting thing about China's repression of Catholicism is that it mirrors China's repression of Tibetan Buddhism. In both cases, the officially atheistic dicatorship wants to control the selection of religious leaders-- even if it means kidnapping the Panchen Lama and selecting its own to be educated under the supervision of the regime in Tibet, and refusing to permit the Catholic Church to practice what I understand (admittedly not perfectly as a non-Catholic) to be a central tenet of the faith, apostolic succession.

I don't know what to do about this-- nor do I really know what to do about any of the outrageous things China does. We missed the great opportunities to force them to play by the rules years ago, because our business community disingenuously assured us that engagement would change the character of the regime.

But the Chinese government's practices, including not only suppression of religions that the American left and right care about, but also torture, suppression of dissent, the sale of organs of executed prisoners, forced abortions, etc., should worry those on all sides of the American political spectrum. I almost never agree with Father Neuhaus, but I am glad he is calling the Chinese government to task.

Posted by Dilan Esper | July 10, 2007 1:02 PM

Dearest In The Lord,

Greeting in the name of our lord Jesus Christ, i am Mrs. Mabel Edward from kuwait. I am married to Mr. Patrick Edward who worked with kuwait embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the year 2004.We were married for eleven years without a child.
He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.Before his death we were both born again Christian.

Since his death I decided not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against.When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of US$2.5 million dollars in a bank there in west africa .Presently, this money is still in bank.

Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the period of nine months due to cancer problem. The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a charity organization that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein.

I want an organization that will use this fund for orphanages, school and church ,widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is maintained.
The Bible made us to understand that "Blessed is the hand that giveth".
I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I don't want my husband's efforts to be used by unbelievers.

I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly way. This is why I am taking this decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord.Exodus 14 VS 14 says that "the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace".

I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health hence the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about this development.With God all things are possible.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the bank there in west africa,
I will also issue you an authority letter that will prove you the present beneficiary of this fund. I want you and the church to always pray for me because the lord is my shephard.

My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that Wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and Truth.

Hoping to receive your reply.
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Yours in Christ
Sis.Bella Edward

Posted by Bella | August 24, 2007 3:09 PM

Dear Sister In Christ,

Greeting in Christ Jesus our Lord!

I am Pastor Arnel F. Salangsang, presently residing at LARA Evangelical Holiness Church at Lara, Lapaz, Tarlac City, Philippines.

I received a copy of you testimony given by a Pastor here in Tarlac. I thank the Lord because you are concern to bless to share a portion of the savings of your late husband Mr. Patrick Edward.

Since you have a heart to share the blessings, I take the opportunity - our church here in the Phippines at present, we need a church vechicle wherein we can used it in propogating the good news of salvation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:19-20/Mark 16:15)

At present, if we have a fellowship we borrowed a vehicle from a certain friend in our place.

A brand new vehicle will cost atleast (Php700,000.00 (equivalent to US$20,000) If you need a picture of our congregation we will send it to you for reference as soon as possible.

We take these opportunity from you because we beleive when er saw seeds in the Kingdom of God if will return back hundred folds.

Jesus Christ will coming soon and only one life will soon be passed only what done for Christ will last.

We appreciate for the response and action of our request letter, as soon as possible.

Our prayers, regard and thanks,

In Christ,

Ptr. ARNEL F. SALANGSANG
Cp# [phone]

Posted by Ptr. Arnel F. Salangsang | April 11, 2008 10:12 PM