CNS STORY: Church in China is showing signs of hope, cardinal tells priests

CHINA-PRIESTS Nov-16-2009 (670 words) xxxi

Church in China is showing signs of hope, cardinal tells priests

By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While there are signs of hope for Catholics in China, today is still "more a time of sowing than of reaping," said the Vatican secretary of state in a letter to priests in China.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said efforts for reconciliation within the Catholic community and for "a respectful and constructive dialogue" with government authorities in China have led to signs of hope despite the "persisting difficulties."

However, even two years after the publication of Pope Benedict XVI's letter to the Church in China, "it does not seem that the time has come to make definitive evaluations," wrote the cardinal. "I believe we can say that it is still more a time of sowing than of reaping."

To help mark the Year for Priests, Cardinal Bertone sent a letter to all priests of the Catholic Church in China. Dated Nov. 10, the letter was released to journalists by the Vatican Nov. 16.

The cardinal touched on the many duties and challenges facing priests and how pastors in China could better minister to their people and continue efforts for reconciliation with Catholic clergy who are recognized by the government but have not requested recognition from the pope.

Catholics in China are "a tiny flock" among a large number of people who either believe in other religions or are indifferent or even hostile toward God and religion, he wrote.

It can be easy for clergy to be overwhelmed by all that they must do, the letter said.

Yet there are some very practical ways priests can make a valuable contribution, he said, for example:

-- "By visiting Catholic and non-Catholic families frequently, as well as villages, and showing your concern for people's needs.

-- "By increasing efforts to prepare and train good catechists.

-- "By fostering greater use of charitable services directed especially to children and to sick and old people in order to show the church's unselfish charity.

-- "By organizing special gatherings where Catholics could invite their non-Catholic relatives and friends in order to become better acquainted with the Catholic Church and Christian faith.

-- "By distributing Catholic literature to non-Catholics."

In his letter, Cardinal Bertone told priests that the Eucharist is a crucial source of strength for carrying out their ministry and is "at the center of your journey of reconciliation."

"The Eucharist, even if celebrated in a particular community, is never the celebration of that community alone," he wrote.

A truly Eucharistic community is not a closed, self-sufficient community but "must stay in communion with every other Catholic community," the letter said.

"In fact, every celebration of the Eucharist presupposes the union not only with the local bishop but also with the pope, the order of bishops, all the clergy and the entire people of God," Cardinal Bertone wrote.

The cardinal's remarks elaborate on a point made in the May 2009 Vatican compendium to the pope's letter to Chinese Catholics concerning the wide latitude individual Catholics have in deciding whether or not to receive the sacraments from bishops and priests who are recognized by the government but have not requested recognition from the pope.

The compendium said if Catholics cannot find pastors in communion with the pope and if they feel they need the sacraments at that moment for their spiritual good, the final decision on whether or not to receive them is up to the individual.

In his letter to Catholic priests, Cardinal Bertone said the church has experienced internal divisions since its very beginnings.

"Everything forms part of God's plan, so that all may serve his omnipotence, which is wisdom and infinite love. At this time may no one hesitate to seek reconciliation with concrete gestures, to extend the hand to the brother who 'has something against you,'" he wrote.

There is an urgent need to help the faithful, including religious, deepen their Christian formation "because the lack of human maturity, self-control and inner harmony is the most frequent source of misunderstandings, lack of cooperation and conflicts within Catholic communities," he wrote.

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