MACAU (UCAN) -- A top mainland official has exchanged views with the Catholic bishop of Macau on Church-related matters including China-Holy See relations, on which she reiterated two standing conditions for normalization of relations.

Liu Yandong, head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China, and her delegation visited Bishop Jose Lai Hung-seng of Macau and other Catholic leaders on Dec. 16 at the bishop's residence.

Bishop Lai told UCA News on Dec. 20 that during the one-hour meeting, Liu was "sincere and frank" in sharing her views on matters such as Beijing-Vatican relations. The prelate said he hopes China and the Holy See can establish relations soon. "Macau diocese and I will do whatever we can" to help achieve this goal, he added.

According to Bishop Lai, Liu said China is proceeding with efforts to establish ties with the Holy See, but issues concerning Taiwan and the appointment of bishops in China remain the two obstacles. The prelate recalled Liu explaining that China feels it is not being respected if the Church in China has to follow foreigners' instructions on the appointment of bishops.

China has repeatedly insisted on two prerequisites for discussing the establishment of formal relations: the Vatican must sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan and must not interfere in China's internal affairs.

Bishop Lai described the exchange with the visiting officials as an opportunity to know Chinese leaders' thinking and to enhance mutual understanding. He added that a breakthrough in China-Vatican relations is not easy due to a lack of proper contact between the two sides.

At the meeting, he told the delegation he regrets that Macau priests cannot celebrate Mass while on pilgrimage to mainland sites, and he expressed hope this could be changed. Liu agreed to deliver his request to the State Administration for Religious Affairs.

Besides China-related Church issues, Bishop Lai told Liu's delegation about the development of the diocese and social problems in Macau, a Portuguese colony for 442 years. On Dec. 19 it celebrated the seventh anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty in 1999.

In his speech welcoming Liu, the prelate said successive bishops of the 430-year-old Macau diocese have guided priests and parishioners toward building a harmonious and progressive society in cooperation with people of other religions and other members of society.

"We are really concerned with the hidden social problems" behind the flourishing economic development of Macau since 1999, he said.

The bishop cited family and marital problems, moral confusion among the youth, compulsive gambling and conflicts among social classes arising from the extreme disparity between the rich and poor. The Church has been trying to make a difference in this situation through its educational and social services, he said.

The Church leader also mentioned local Catholics' concern for people on the mainland and the local Church's interest in serving people with leprosy and supporting students in poor areas there.

Also present at the meeting were Macau diocesan officials and representatives of Religious congregations and Catholic institutes.

During the visit, Liu and her delegation toured the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady and the bishop's house.

Father Joao Evangelista Lau Him-sang, the cathedral parish priest, who was present at the meeting, told UCA News it was "a good start" for furthering contacts with mainland China. He said he believes the state officials' special visit showed that the central government recognizes the local Church's contribution to society.

Liu, a vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, led an official delegation that visited Macau Dec. 13-17. She attended the Overseas Chinese World Conference for Reunification of China, met local government and social figures, and visited some scenic spots.

On Dec. 15, the Beijing-based state official met with representatives of major religious groups including Bishop Lai, six priests and two nuns.

According to the official Xinhua News Agency, Liu urged the 50 Buddhist, Catholic, Daoist (Taoist), Muslim and Protestant delegates and groups to help promote Macau's long-term prosperity and harmony. She also called for more exchanges between Macau and mainland religious circles, asking them to join hands in promoting the prosperity of the whole country.

Jesuit Father Luis Sequeira, who represented Catholic men's Religious congregations at that meeting, echoed her views. He told UCA News on Dec. 18 that religions in Macau should collaborate more closely to create a harmonious society and country with a "spiritual dimension."

Bishop Lai paid his first official visit to Beijing in November 2005, in which he met Liu, top religious affairs officials and mainland Church leaders. Last September he joined a three-day tour to Guangdong province, which borders Macau, with leaders of other major religions in Macau.

Hong Kong-based Church observer Kwun Ping-hung told UCA News Dec. 18 that even though the special meeting between Liu and the Macau Catholic leaders will not bring any substantial result, the gesture itself has shown the central government is "extremely concerned" about the Catholic Church.

Nonetheless, Kwun stressed that no matter how good relations between the Macau Church and the Chinese government are, the Macau Church cannot replace the role of the Hong Kong Church as a bridge in China-Vatican relations.

(Accompanying photos available at here