Officials and priests in China ponder Cardinal. Bertone’s letter

(Nov.18, 2009): The Letter of Vatican’s Secretary of State to Chinese priests published on Monday, was received and read carefully by the clergy. Bishops and priests in China are convinced that the formation and spiritual growth of priests should be the first concern of the Church. Cardinal Tarciscio Bertone wrote the letter to mark the Year dedicated to priests worldwide. He called for reconciliation and exhorted them to live out their vocation.
According to AsiaNews sources, many underground communities agreed to hold meetings for priests and nuns for a thorough study of the letter, which they find encourages them to deepen their faith and their spiritual life, especially in this Year for Priests. Some priests said that the letter has highlighted the crucial issues that priests in China are facing today. At the same time, they hope that the Vatican can also give concrete indications on how to resolve these difficulties. After reading the letter, Fr. Chen Xiaofeng, Dean of studies at the seminary of Shijiazhuang (Hebei) said: "The Church in China is in need of dialogue and communication, both among people with different opinions, and between the Church and the government. Mutual respect of views is important" he added.
According to Fr. Chen, the formation currently offered to the priests is not enough. He said without proper formation, priests do not have the energy to live the consecrated life and to serve the Church. The priests, according to
Fr. Chen, also need more theological and human preparation. For this reason, he said, the presence of a team of educators in the seminaries is important.
According to the Holy Spirit Study Center in Hong Kong, there are about 3 thousand priests in the service of the Chinese Church both official and underground.