VATICAN CITY (UCAN) -- Pope Benedict XVI praised the visiting bishops of Hong Kong and Macau for showing that "one can be authentically Catholic and authentically Chinese," and he prayed "the day will soon come" when mainland bishops too can visit the Holy See.

On June 27, the pope first welcomed Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong in his private library for a private audience and then invited Coadjutor Bishop John Tong Hon to join them. Next he received Bishop Jose Lai Hung-seng of Macau privately, and finally all three pastors met him as a group for almost an hour.

The pope and cardinal exchanged prepared texts and later gifts. Pope Benedict gave each a pectoral cross, and they presented him a crystal containing a picture of a flower emerging from the snow, symbolizing the resurrection of the Church in China.

"The Holy Father was very warm and kind with us," Cardinal Zen told UCA News in Rome afterward.

In his prepared remarks on behalf of the group, written in Italian, Cardinal Zen jokingly referred to Hong Kong and Macau as "orphan dioceses," since neither belongs to an episcopal conference. Hong Kong has 300,000 Catholics in a population of almost 7 million, and Macau about 20,000 Catholics among 543,000 people.

Local Catholics accepted the return of Hong Kong and Macau to Chinese sovereignty, in 1997 and 1999, respectively, "as the disposition of Divine Providence," the cardinal said. The absence of China-Holy See relations dampened their enthusiasm, but their territories' limited autonomy allows them "to enjoy the religious liberty that our brothers in the mainland cannot yet fully exercise."

Thanks to missioners, he said, both communities have been able to influence society at large, and evangelization "has always been accompanied by a massive commitment in education and social justice."

Cardinal Zen said the bishops came to Rome bringing their people's love and gratitude "for the gift of faith" and Pope Benedict's "enlightened guidance." He presented good and "less good" news from both dioceses.

On the positive side he listed: "continuation of the work of evangelization and social commitment;" "a consoling number of adult baptisms every year;" prioritizing of pastoral care for youths and families; and "great harmony" and "participation" within their communities.

On the negative side he mentioned "scarcity of local Church vocations' and "the alarming situation of families." He identified "promiscuous relations," lack of commitment, "easy abortion" and "the lowest birthrate in the world" among threats to the family.

Expressing "the gratitude of all the Chinese Church" for Pope Benedict's "special love and concern" for mainland Catholics, he said they pray bishops from mainland China too will soon be able to make ad limina visits to the Holy See and receive the pope on "a return visit."

Pope Benedict, in his prepared text, released by Vatican Radio in English, told the Hong Kong and Macau Church leaders that everyone has "the right" to hear about Christ, which implies a "duty to evangelize."

He urged the bishops to provide "adequate ongoing formation" for their clergy and give 'special attention" to young priests and Religious.

Emphasizing the "important contribution" Catholic schools make, he praised Hong Kong and Macau Catholic schools for the "significant impulse" they have given to "social development and cultural growth." They "face new difficulties," he acknowledged, but asked the local Churches "to ensure that this important service will never fall by the wayside."

He urged the bishops to welcome and support new "ecclesial movements" as "one of the most important new realities fostered by the Spirit in the Church in order to implement the Second Vatican Council."

Meanwhile, the pope encouraged them to continue their "contribution to the life of the Church in mainland China, by offering personnel for formation purposes and by supporting initiatives in the field of human promotion and assistance."

Pope Benedict assured "the Catholic community" and "all the people of China" of his "prayers and affection." He concluded, like Cardinal Zen, by praying "the day will soon come when your brother bishops from mainland China come to Rome on pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul, as a sign of communion with the Successor of Peter and the universal Church."

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