Cardinal Tong expresses hope for the future of the church in China

April 24, 2012: Cardinal John Tong Hon of Hong Kong says he hopes that a “sincere dialogue” can be established with the new Chinese Communist Party leadership once the transition takes place in the autumn.

The cardinal was speaking on Sunday in Rome after taking possession of his titular church of Santa Maria Regina degli Apostoli alla Montagnola. Every new cardinal is assigned a parish church in Rome, which entitles him to elect a new pope.

“I hope there would be a dialogue because no problem can be solved except through dialogue, a sincere dialogue,” he said of a future relationship with the new leadership.

According to Cardinal Tong, improving relations between the Church and the Chinese government is “a win-win case” for both sides. Asked whether the new leadership will improve the situation for Chinese Catholics, he said he would “hope and pray for that.”

Regarding the situation in mainland China, Cardinal Tong acknowledged that since the reforms in the 1980s, China has been moving very fast towards economic freedom, but policies on religion remain strict.

However, the “vitality” of China’s Church has led to its growth from 3 million in 1949 to 12 million today, Cardinal Tong said.