During a Memorial Mass for an underground Chinese priest who died in mysterious circumstances two years ago, His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong has strongly criticized the diplomacy of Holy See with Beijing. While addressing the faithful for his homily at the Church of St. Jude, His Lordship Cardinal conveyed that he had recently shocked to learn details about the Sino-Vatican negotiations on the appointment of bishops in China.
As reported by ucanews.com, His Eminence Cardinal Joseph remarked that “The Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin should have a better understanding of the Chinese Communist Party and Cardinal Parolin is erroneously encouraging Pope Francis to have an optimistic approach to the Chinese government.” Further, His Lordship added, “Too much emphasis on diplomacy instead of our faith, or no bottom line about reaching an agreement or selling ourselves is by no means is faithful to the Apostle’s mission.”
His Lordship Cardinal Joseph also stressed that the Holy See did not even condemn how bishops without Vatican approval twice attended ordinations of Vatican-approved bishops.
