Scottish Catholic Observer

On Tuesday, the day dedicated to prayer for China, the communist government’s treatment of Catholics loyal to the Pope in the country caused renewed concern. In 2007 Pope Benedict XVI chose May 24 as the annual day for prayers for China as it is the feast of the Blessed Mary, Help of Christians. The following year the Holy Father composed a prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan.

On Monday night Chinese Government officials set up security checkpoints around the shrine of Our Lady of Sheshan, discouraging Catholics from traveling there to mark the Pope’s special day of prayer for the Church in China. In spite of the measure, Bishop Xing Wenzhi, an auxiliary of the Shanghai diocese, still hoped to celebrate Mass at the shrine on the day of prayer on Tuesday as planned.

China’s conflict with the Vatican stems from the existence of the Patriotic Church, which is controlled by the Chinese Government. Its leaders continue to appoint bishops without the authorisation of the Pope. In December of 2010, 40 bishops, priests and Chinese lay people who are faithful to the Holy See—often referred to as the ‘underground’ Church—were forced by the Chinese Government to take part in the Assembly of Catholic Representatives, an institution controlled by the communist government.

Yet hope, and help, for China’s Catholics is still very much alive.

Cultural Exchange with China (CEC), a UK-based organisation that builds links with the Catholic Church in China, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Columban Fr Eamonn O’Brien, the CEC’s director, speaks of progress and hope.

“The CEC can now openly use its strapline ‘Building bridges between the Catholic Churches of Britain and China’ in all its communications at all levels of Chinese Church and Government,” he said.

Fr O’Brien told the SCO of the CEC’s urgent need for support during his visit to Scotland last year. For more on the Cultural Exchange with China visit http://cecuk.org/ where donations can be made electronically, or send cheques to the Scottish Catholic Observer Charity Appeal, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6BT. Sort Code—805401, Account Number—00946719.