Vatican commission calls for greater unity effort in China

(March 26, 2010) A Vatican commission has called for greater unity among Chinese Catholics and asked bishops there not to engage in acts that "contradict communion with the pope." The commission has also urged church leaders and state authorities to engage in "respectful dialogue" to overcome tensions. It expressed the hope that bishops and priests deprived of freedom would be allowed to resume their pastoral ministry as soon as possible. The commission, established by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007, released a statement on Thursday following a three-day meeting at the Vatican. The commission, made up of Chinese and Vatican church officials and experts, acknowledged that problems involving internal church tensions and church-state conflicts would not be solved "overnight," but said it was important that "concrete steps be taken urgently to strengthen and demonstrate the spiritual ties between pastors and the faithful." Much of the commission's meeting this year, the Year for Priests, was dedicated to formation of seminarians and priests in China. Pope Benedict joined the final session of the commission's meeting.