Friday 22 August 2008

Though a Vatican spokesman says consideration of a papal visit to China is "premature," he nevertheless called an invitation extended to Benedict XVI by Beijing's bishop "encouraging."

Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, gave this estimation of Bishop Giuseppe Li Shan's invitation made Wednesday during an exclusive interview with Italian public television.

Bishop Li Shan was elected last July by priests, religious and laity of the Beijing Diocese. L'Osservatore Romano reported in September that his appointment had subsequently been given papal approval.

"We have great hope that Benedict XVI will visit China," Bishop Li Shan told the TV station. "We have desired this for a long time and hope it will materialise."

Fr Lombardi said yesterday on Vatican Radio that "Bishop Li Shan's interview can be considered as one of the signs with which the Chinese side responds to the willingness and desire expressed by the Pope in his letter from a year ago addressed to Chinese Catholics, to seek a normalisation of relations between China and the Holy See."

"For the time being," he added, "to talk about a trip of the Pope to China is completely premature. However, Bishop Li Shan's words manifest that all Chinese Catholics love and respect the Pope, that they acknowledge his authority and would be happy to receive him, and this is certainly a very positive and encouraging thing."

In the interview, Bishop Li-Shan affirmed that "relations with the Vatican are ever better; we can say that there are important developments."

Diplomatic relations between Beijing and Rome were interrupted in 1951, when the Communist authorities expelled the apostolic nuncio. Today, the government permits religious practice only with recognized personnel and in places registered with the Religious Affairs Office and under the control of the Patriotic Association.

In this context, Father Lombardi clarified that "several important problems have not been resolved, but on the part of the Holy See there is the intention and the will to continue promoting a loyal and constructive dialogue."

[Zenit]