Are Chinese Catholics Really Catholics
Snippets of news show up periodically about the Catholic operation in China. Perhaps it is so complex no one outside either China or the Vatican can really understand it. Those who are independent and who write about the relationship cannot understand what the Catholic Church gets from the deal. Certainly, the Vatican can bump up their worldwide numbers by claiming to have members in China. But whether these so-called Catholics have anything in common with Western Catholics is hard to determine. The latest "news" is that Rome has agreed to make the boundaries of some dioceses conform to the boundaries of government determined regions. Efficient government makes for efficient churches.
In the link a Catholic official who deals with China tried to put a good face on the relationship. He said that in years past, the Chinese would simply notify the Vatican about a new Bishop at the same time it made a public press release. Now things are better, the Vatican guy said, the Chinese Government lets Rome know before telling the press. The Vatican guy admitted input from Rome would be better but it is not there yet.
All of this is confusing to me. I've read many times that powers of Catholic Clergy came from Jesus. He supposedly said to Peter something like, "Upon this rock build the church." Where does the Chinese Government fit into this story of Jesus telling Peter he is to lead the church? Was there some secret meeting between Jesus and the Chinese on another "rock?"
The link speculates on what is in the relationship with the Chinese government that makes it worth while for the average Catholic in the pews? It seems to the link author the Vatican is just spinning its wheels and getting nowhere.
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