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MANILA Rome and Peking

Is the People’s Republic of China ready to end its 27- year-old dispute with the Vatican? So far, Mainland Chinese Catholics have been grouped under the state-controlled Catholic Association, which claims three million adherents. It does not recognize the supremacy of Rome and appoints its own bishops and priests; it has accused the Vatican of “subversive action” against Chinese churches. Mainland China also has an underground Catholic Church, loyal to Rome, but its leaders are for the most part in jail for celebrating private Masses and baptisms. After a recent visit to Peking, however, the Filipino prelate Jaime Cardinal Sin appears to believe that things may change, and goes so far as to speak of a “breakthrough.” Cardinal Sin even reports that the Catholic Association would be ready to align itself with Rome, but he refuses to elaborate on this. Pope John Paul II has made a number of gestures toward Peking, the most recent during his visit to South Korea when he spoke warmly of the Chinese people. An important element in the situation is the Catholic Church in Taiwan, which has particularly close ties to Rome. Taiwanese bishops have now distributed a conciliatory pastoral letter asking their flocks to adopt an understanding attitude toward the Pope’s desire for closer ties with Mainland China. The letter was entitled: “The Church in China: One Shepherd, One Flock.”

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MANILA Rome and Peking

Is the People’s Republic of China ready to end its 27- year-old dispute with the Vatican? So far, Mainland Chinese Catholics have been grouped under the state-controlled Catholic Association, which claims three million adherents. It does not recognize the supremacy of Rome and appoints its own bishops and priests; it has accused the Vatican of “subversive action” against Chinese churches. Mainland China also has an underground Catholic Church, loyal to Rome, but its leaders are for the most part in jail for celebrating private Masses and baptisms. After a recent visit to Peking, however, the Filipino prelate Jaime Cardinal Sin appears to believe that things may change, and goes so far as to speak of a “breakthrough.” Cardinal Sin even reports that the Catholic Association would be ready to align itself with Rome, but he refuses to elaborate on this. Pope John Paul II has made a number of gestures toward Peking, the most recent during his visit to South Korea when he spoke warmly of the Chinese people. An important element in the situation is the Catholic Church in Taiwan, which has particularly close ties to Rome. Taiwanese bishops have now distributed a conciliatory pastoral letter asking their flocks to adopt an understanding attitude toward the Pope’s desire for closer ties with Mainland China. The letter was entitled: “The Church in China: One Shepherd, One Flock.”