Mainland clergy welcome Vatican letter

Priests in mainland China say they appreciate the Vatican´s recent letter to them, while pointing out at the same time the challenges faced by the “underground” and government-approved Church communities.

A procession of deacons before their priestly ordination Mass in Jilin, China (File photo)

Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone´s letter, written for the Year for Priests, was published in the Vatican´s Fides Service and Vatican Radio websites on Nov. 16. It was believed to be a result of the meeting of the Holy See´s Commission for the Catholic Church in China in late March.

Half of the meeting was devoted to the formation of seminarians, priests and Religious.

The document, dated Nov. 10, reiterates the importance of reconciliation within the Catholic community and reminded the clergy to find strength from the Eucharist. It also advised bishops to ensure adequate formation for their priests.

Father John Li Hongwei of Changsha, from the “open” Church community, said the letter was timely and useful in helping priests learn how to act according to the Gospel.

Since Changsha diocese has had no bishop for nine years, his fellow priests have tended to work independently with little cooperation among themselves. Such lack of unity has caused many problems, he said.

Father Paul Bai Chunlong of Jilin, also from the open Church community, appreciated the cardinal´s reminder to bishops to pay “particular attention” to young priests working alone soon after ordination.

“Sometimes when attention and care are inadequate, priests can face many temptations,” said Father Bai, who teaches at the diocesan seminary in northeastern China.

The priest, who is in his 30s, said he welcomed the section in the letter asking priests to emulate the dedication of Saint John Mary Vianney, patron of parish priests, to his priestly ministry.

Commenting on the letter´s emphasis on “reconciliation within the Catholic community” in China, he believes bishops from both Church communities should take the lead by contacting and accepting one other. “Three of my primary schoolmates became underground priests and we lost contact. But now we phone each other and meet up regularly,” he said.

Father John Baptist of Mindong diocese´s underground community said he was touched by the cardinal´s concerns for priests in China.

He observed that both clergy and laypeople have become very secular in outlook, thus they especially need spiritual formation. Most mainland priests are also not well educated and some even lack proper seminary training.

However, he noted that the older bishops lack the energy to mentor the younger priests, while the younger bishops find it hard to command the same kind of respect from priests in the same age group.