Author:
Publication: Vande Mataram
Date: August 2000
While the Indian government
was busy convincing the Pope in Rome that everything in India was fine
as far as the Christians here are concerned - the PM himself was seen assuring
the Pope personally China, in a statement, warned Vatican to refrain from
interference in the internal affairs of it, including the management of
Christian institutions in that country.
China said that Beijing
could have no diplomatic relations with the Holy See until it renounced
its recognition of Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue
told a briefing during a visit by Prime Minister Zhu Rongji to Italy last
month that there had been no contact with the Vatican during the trip.
"Our policy is that China
wants to improve relations with the Vatican but two principles must be
followed. The Holy See must break diplomatic relations with Taiwan and
recognise the People's Republic of China," she said.
She also said the Vatican
must avoid "interfering in internal Chinese affairs and exploiting religion
to interfere in Chinese affairs."
Asked whether the Vatican
could ever replace the state-backed Patriotic Catholic Association, which
appoints its own bishops and does not recognise the authority of Pope John
Paul, Zhang said:
" I am not an expert
on ecclesiastical affairs but I know the Patriotic Association will continue
to exist," she said.
"The Chinese ecclesiastical
situation is based on a compatibility with historical and national conditions.
This won't ever change," she added.
The Vatican has criticised
recent Chinese ordinations of bishops, saying they risk torpedoing hopes
for better relations.
Despite recent behind-the-scenes
negotiations, the Vatican and China have been unable to bridge the gulf
created by the Holy See's recognition of Taiwan, which China views as a
renegade province.
The Vatican has had no
diplomatic ties with China since 1951, but Secretary of State Cardinal
Angelo Sodano said last year it was willing to transfer its embassy to
Beijing from Taipei in order to improve bilateral relations.
Can't we take a leaf
or two out of the Chinese book of national pride?
