_WORLD WATCH______________________________
____________________ China ________________

Pope seeks to pursue diplomatic ties
But Beijing shows no interest
Pope John Paul II has called upon the Chinese government to resume negotiations toward the establishment of normal diplomatic relations.

The Pope’s message was contained in a 4-page letter—made available in Chinese and English as well as Italian—published in conjunction with a Gregorian University conference on the missionary work of Matteo Ricci. Rumors had circulated in Rome, earlier in the autumn, that the conference—which opened on October 24—would be the occasion for the announcement of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Beijing. Those rumors were proven false by the Holy Father’s plea to the Chinese government. The Pontiff made it clear that talks with Beijing had broken down.

After praising the work of Father Matteo Ricci—the 16th-century missionary—the Pope said that today, too, it is important to promote friendship and dialogue between “the two oldest living institutions in the world,” the Catholic Church and the Chinese government. He added that the “opening of some space for dialogue” between the two parties would constitute “an improvement for all humanity.”

Asking pardon for any errors committed by Catholics in the past, the Pope said that today, “The Catholic Church is not asking for any privilege from China or from her political authorities, but only the chance to engage in dialogue, to work toward a relationship marked by mutual respect and deeper understanding.”

Following up on the papal statement, one ranking Vatican official said that the Pontiff is anxious to sign an accord with the government of China, and would bend diplomatic protocol if necessary in order to break a 50-year diplomatic stalemate. Archbishop Giuseppe Pittau, the secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education, told the Italian daily newspaper Avvenire that the Pope “would be ready to sign an accord with China tomorrow.” The Jesuit prelate said that the Pontiff is frustrated by a situation which is “frozen in place,” and would immediately accept an invitation to visit Beijing.

As for the two conditions that Beijing has consistently stipulated as the basis for any discussion of diplomatic relations—a Vatican promise not to interfere in “internal affairs” (including the naming of Catholic bishops), and a break in diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Taiwan—Archbishop Pittau expressed confidence that “technical solutions” could be found to allow an agreement.

Taiwan’s ambassador to the Holy See immediately expressed doubts that the government of China would respond favorably to the Pope’s appeal. Raymond Tai said that the Holy Father’s overture to Beijing was “exceptional,” but that the Chinese government would not respond in kind. The Taiwanese ambassador offered these opinions after having had lunch with Msgr. Celestino Migliore, the Vatican’s under-secretary of state. The envoy met with the Vatican official on the day after the Pope’s public appeal—obviously hoping to clarify the diplomatic situation.

Ambassador Tai reported that he had been assured that the Holy See was not expecting any immediate response from Beijing. The Taiwanese diplomat also noted that the Chinese government has rebuffed every previous effort to establish diplomatic ties with Rome, and “the conditions are always the same.” Beijing has always demanded that the Communist Party, rather than the Vatican, should approve Catholic bishops. Also, the Chinese government has insisted that the Holy See must break off diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

In fact, the Holy See does not have a diplomatic mission to Taiwan itself. The Vatican embassy in China was originally stationed in Beijing, but moved first to Nanking, then Hong Kong, and finally to Taiwan in order to avoid the onslaught of the Communist regime. The Vatican’s nuncio in Taiwan remains, for official purposes, the Pope’s legate to all of China.

Ambassador Tai told the Roman news agency I Media that, in his view, the canonization of 120 Chinese martyrs last October was a bitter pill for the Chinese Communist leadership, and had the effect of erecting a “higher barrier” to diplomatic accords. Although the Vatican insisted at the time that there was “no political or diplomatic consideration” involved in the canonizations —that the ceremony had been timed to match the celebration of missionary work during the Jubilee year—Communist leaders were furious to note that the canonizations took place on the anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic in China.

Beijing had opposed the canonizations, saying that the missionaries represented an “imperialistic” influence on China. The Communist government has been engaged in a long tug-of-war for the affections of Chinese Catholics, insisting that “patriotic” Catholics must sever their connections with the “foreign” influence of the Holy See.

While the Taiwanese envoy was happy to discuss the implications of the Pope’s dramatic gesture, the Communist Party leadership in Beijing was not at all anxious to respond. After several days of silence, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a bland statement saying that the government would study the Pope’s statement. The Foreign Ministry added, however, that China would not bend on its two familiar demands: that the Holy See sever relations with Taiwan and promise not to interfere in China’s “internal” religious affairs.

Back to Catholic World Report December 2001 Table of Contents