A leading Chinese politician has told the country’s Catholics to promote socialism and keep their distance from Rome.
Speaking after a meeting with China’s state-approved official Church, Yu Zhengsheng said churches should conform themselves to “socialism with Chinese characteristics” – that is, the model of authoritarian rule and economic liberalisation which China’s Communist Party has developed.
Mr Yu is one of seven members of China’s Politburo standing committee, which is in effect China’s highest ruling body.
China has recently been in talks with the Holy See over a possible diplomatic deal. The two states do not have diplomatic relations, but under Pope Francis the Vatican hopes to find a compromise.
Mr Yu’s speech suggested that Beijing would not back down on its wish for a close hold on Catholicism. “The Church should adhere to the principles of self-administration,” he said, “run religious affairs independently and guide believers to adhere to the Sinicisation path of the religion.” About half of China’s Catholics belong to the state-approved official Church, while the rest are part of the “underground Church”.
Some of the official Church’s bishops have been excommunicated. One, Lei Shiyin, took part in a consecration of two bishops last week. Although the Vatican had approved the new bishops, it condemned Lei’s presence, which it said had created “turmoil among Chinese Catholics.”
Last week, Wang Zuo’an, China’s head of religious affairs, said he hoped the Vatican would be flexible.
Cardinal will take part in Trump’s inauguration
New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan will take part in this month’s presidential inauguration of Donald Trump.
“I am honoured to have been asked to offer a reading from Scripture at the upcoming presidential inauguration, and look forward to asking almighty God to inspire and guide our new president and to continue to bless our great nation,” Cardinal Dolan said.
Donald Trump, a lifelong New Yorker, will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on January 20.
According to the President-elect’s inaugural committee, other religious leaders scheduled to be present include Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean and founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center; the Rev Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; Paula White of the New Destiny Christian Center; and the Rev Franklin Graham of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
The Washington Post reported that Mr Trump is scheduled to attend “a private family church service at St John’s Episcopal Church near the White House”, where many previous presidents have worshipped immediately before being sworn in.
McDonald’s opens near Vatican
A branch of McDonald’s has opened in the Borgo Pio district of Rome – despite opposition from seven cardinals who live in the flats above it.
The fast food chain now occupies almost 5,800 sq ft on the ground floor of a building less than 2000 feet from St Peter’s Square.
Cardinal Elio Sgreccia, president emeritus of the Pontifical Academy for Life, described plans to open the outlet as “perverse” and said the cardinals had not been consulted.
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