Church matters
The one blessing I have certainly been able to count on week-to-week, even in China, is going to Mass. From that first skittish morning in 2006, all the way through recent weeks, attending Mass on Sundays has kept me going through dark times, difficult times, exhausting times, and, yes, even celebratory times. Not a day goes by that I don't see some sacramental in my apartment that has Chinese wording on it and I am reminded to thank the Lord that even here, in China, we are at His Altar every week.
For most of the past four-and-a-half years that I've been attending a Chinese parish, I've been wonderfully surprised at what I found. Welcoming Priests and Congregations. Outstanding Liturgies. Vibrant Devotions. And a Holy Week that for me that has been life-changing.
Along these years, too, something has been happening with the Church in China, a general movement towards a more visible unity with the rest of the Catholic Church. More Bishops approved by both the government and the Pope were being installed. As recently as last September, I was actually getting blase about new reports of Bishops ordained in the open church with Papal approval. However, I spoke too soon, as in November there was the first illicit ordination in four years. Looking back over 2010, I contrasted the Papal-themed calendar I bought at my Beijing parish at the beginning of the year with the news at the close of the year. But then earlier this year came the very exciting announcement that the Shanghai Diocese would be proceeding with the cause for Beatification for Xu Guangqi (and an Episcopal Ordination approved jointly by the government and the Pope in that link as well). I thought the proverbial pendulum was swinging back.
In only the last few weeks has it appeared that the situation has begun to disintegrate. I am only making this observation from what I have read in the news. This past Sunday we did not make it to Mass, and I have not had the chance to discuss with anyone what has been happening and what it means to us ordinary believers. In early June the unprecedented visit of Cardinal Shan to the Mainland was cancelled when the PRC refused his visa application. The Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts certainly issued a strong statement following the ordination in Leshan, and, with hat tip to Adam for tweeting it, UCAN also carried a clear explanation of what it means. In advance of what may or may happen in Shantou this week, several Open Church (yes, you've read that correctly) Bishops have either made public declarations against it, or are not in a position to say anything publicly.
Just when it looked like it was going so well.....
For most of the past four-and-a-half years that I've been attending a Chinese parish, I've been wonderfully surprised at what I found. Welcoming Priests and Congregations. Outstanding Liturgies. Vibrant Devotions. And a Holy Week that for me that has been life-changing.
Along these years, too, something has been happening with the Church in China, a general movement towards a more visible unity with the rest of the Catholic Church. More Bishops approved by both the government and the Pope were being installed. As recently as last September, I was actually getting blase about new reports of Bishops ordained in the open church with Papal approval. However, I spoke too soon, as in November there was the first illicit ordination in four years. Looking back over 2010, I contrasted the Papal-themed calendar I bought at my Beijing parish at the beginning of the year with the news at the close of the year. But then earlier this year came the very exciting announcement that the Shanghai Diocese would be proceeding with the cause for Beatification for Xu Guangqi (and an Episcopal Ordination approved jointly by the government and the Pope in that link as well). I thought the proverbial pendulum was swinging back.
In only the last few weeks has it appeared that the situation has begun to disintegrate. I am only making this observation from what I have read in the news. This past Sunday we did not make it to Mass, and I have not had the chance to discuss with anyone what has been happening and what it means to us ordinary believers. In early June the unprecedented visit of Cardinal Shan to the Mainland was cancelled when the PRC refused his visa application. The Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts certainly issued a strong statement following the ordination in Leshan, and, with hat tip to Adam for tweeting it, UCAN also carried a clear explanation of what it means. In advance of what may or may happen in Shantou this week, several Open Church (yes, you've read that correctly) Bishops have either made public declarations against it, or are not in a position to say anything publicly.
Just when it looked like it was going so well.....
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