Cardinal Zen says time not right yet for papal visit to China

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Cardinal Zen says time not right yet for papal visit to China

Rome, May 17, 2008 / 04:05 pm (CNA).- The Archbishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Joseph Zen, said from Turin this week that “the time has not yet come for the Pope to visit China,” as “his trip would be used by the government, would be misunderstood and would do nothing for the faithful of the Roman Church.”

“In China there is no religious freedom or freedom of the press, and although the government wants you to think it is opening up in view of the Olympic Games, it controls the internet all the time,” Cardinal Zen said.

The cardinal recalled Pope Benedict XVI’s letter to Chinese Catholics in which he called on Communist authorities to guarantee “authentic religious freedom” to Chinese Catholics. He noted that after the release of the Pope’s letter, “nothing has changed.” Therefore, he said he was skeptical that Chinese officials would fulfill their promise to “halt the ordination of bishops” not approved by Rome during the Olympic period.

Although he acknowledged that “the Olympic Games can help change the current situation of repression,” Cardinal Zen warned that the “Chinese government, even in the pre-Olympic period, wants to control everything, it is omnivorous.”

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Ray Joseph
Ottawa_Hull Canada 29/05/2008 06:52 AM EST

Perhaps you will agree the two pictures accompanying the report: Dave Rogers, "Second police warning for God's emissary", Ottawa Citizen, 10 September 1977, A2. are great pictures. Youth will love them! They are still timely in the context of the Republican National Convention coming up.

My Wikipedia Article hasn't been updated to the week I attended the Republican National Convention in Kansas City during the bi-centenial of The American Revolution in 1976. Walking softly carrying my big stick, I approached every Senator, Congressman and delegate talking in small groups within the thousands socializing in the Lobby of The Crown Center Hotel. It is my claim Senator Jarvis Proposition 13 in California was inspired by my image in the pictures. I have no doubt in the future, when senior Republican Party leaders who attended that Convention have their memories provoked by the picture, they will have to adm

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