Pope's Hopes for China

(27 June 08 - RV) On Friday Bishops from Hong Kong and Macau China were received by Pope Benedict XVI in private audience.

The Lord has given every man and woman the right to hear the proclamation that Jesus Christ “loved me and gave himself for me”.

The Churches mission to evangelise, form and support the people of China where at the heart of Pope Benedict’s address to the Bishops from the two Diocese of Hong Kong and Macao Friday.

Speaking to the group led by Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, Archbishop of Hong Kong the Pope also expressed his hope that soon their brother bishops from mainland China join them on pilgrimage to Rome.

He told those present that their Churches are called to be witnesses to Christ, to look forward in hope and to announce the Gospel facing up to the new challenges that the people of Hong Kong and Macao must embrace.

The Pope was referring to the opposing forces generated by modern day globalization which he said hold humanity suspended between two poles. On the one hand, the many social and cultural bonds which promote attitudes of world-wide solidarity and shared responsibility for the good of mankind. On the other hand, the worrying signs of fragmentation and individualism dominated by secularism which pushes the transcendent to the margins, eclipsing the very source of universal harmony.

Pope Benedict pointed out that the negative aspects of this cultural phenomenon draw attention to the need for a solid formation and call for concentrated efforts aimed at supporting the spiritual and moral ethos of their people.

Only by doing so he said, will you effectively show them the enduring youthfulness and inexhaustible capacity for renewal of the Gospel of Christ, and bear witness to the fact that one can be authentically Catholic and authentically Chinese at the same time.

Pope Benedict encouraged the Macao and Hong Kong bishops to continue their contribution to the life of the Church in mainland China, both by offering personnel for formation purposes and by supporting initiatives in the field of human promotion and assistance. He expressed his hope that one day soon mainland bishops will come to Rome on pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul, as a sign of communion with the Successor of Peter and the Universal Church. He asked the small group of 3 men to tell the Catholic Community of China and all of the people of the vast nations that they are in his prayers, reminding them that we must never forget that Christ is also for China a Teacher, Pastor and loving Redeemer. The Church he concluded, must never allow this good news to remain unspoken.