Cardinal makes Beijing see red

HONG KONG: There’s something about Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, 74, that makes the Communist leaders in mainland China see red. Known for his outspoken views on religious affairs in China and the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, the 74-year-old head of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong is a key advisor to Pope Benedict XVI on formulating the Vatican’s China policy.

He has been labelled as a “threat” to the Beijing government and has been accused of being under the influence of “foreign powers”, but he brushes off these charges as “ridiculous”.

In this interview to DNA, which he gave even as a Vatican delegation was in Beijing to conduct secret negotiations on a possible restoration of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and China, Cardinal Zen speaks on the prospects for reconciliation, and justifies his engagement in issues of socio-political importance. Excerpts from the interview:

Is it justifiable for a religious leader to enter into what some would call a political arena?

The politicians use their political skill; we look at it from a human rights point of view.

How would you assess the state of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong?

Unfortunately, it has been stifled by intervention from Beijing. I don't know why they don't trust us: they are afraid. The Basic Law (the constitutional document in Hong Kong) allows for it, but in 2004 they came up with an interpretation under which they have the mechanism to stop the discussion about universal suffrage.

Even as we speak, a Vatican delegation is in Beijing for talks that could lead to a historic reconciliation.

Of course, it is good news that they are talking, but I think the way is still very long.

Is there a trust deficit that needs to be bridged between the Vatican and Beijing?

Yes, but when one party holds the power and the other party does not, it is the powerful one who should initiate trust. I think the government can trust us - because we cannot do any harm to the state. The Holy See is showing a great deal of trust in holding negotiations. Some people have been saying that it is totally useless to talk, that you cannot trust the Communists.

What is the condition of Catholic worshippers in mainland China?

I think that the outside world simply cannot imagine how the government controls religious affairs. As for the Catholic church, one part of is what we call the underground church, because it has been outlawed. So they are arrested. One bishop disappeared for seven years.

What is it about the Catholic church that the Chinese government distrusts?

They think we have some foreign power behind us! They make comparison with fall of communism in Poland. That is ridiculous: Poland is a country with 99% Catholics, and it was occupied by the Soviet army. The situation is completely different in China

India is a secular, democratic country. Would like to see that in China as well?

I think each one is special in its own way. Religious freedom is religious freedom. It could be in a place where you have a great majority belonging to one religion and several small minorities. Or you could have two or three religions that are predominant in the country… these are all different situations.

Bishops in hot water

• China has ordained three Bishops without approval from the Vatican.
• On April 30, Father Ma Yinglin, 40, an office-bearer in the state-approved Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, was ordained Bishop of Kunming in Yunnan province in southern China.
• On May 3, China’s state-backed Catholic church installed a second bishop, Liu Xinhong, as the bishop of the St. Josephs Church in Anhui province in eastern China.
• On May 14, China’s approved Catholic church welcomed the installation of Bishop Zhan Silu who has not been approved by the pope. He was appointed as head of the Mindong Diocese.