The Vatican reached out to China on Tuesday, emphasizing that the Catholic Church does not threaten Beijing’s sovereignty. They acknowledged the mistakes made by Western missionaries in the past in their efforts to convert the Chinese faithful.
The Vatican hosted the leader of China’s bishops conference for a special commemoration of a significant 1924 meeting in Shanghai that highlighted the importance of local church leaders over foreign missionaries.
The participation of Shanghai Bishop Joseph Shen Bin alongside Cardinal Pietro Parolin at the Pontifical Urbaniana University was remarkable. This marked the first time a mainland bishop was permitted by Beijing to be a keynote speaker at a public Vatican event.
The event was particularly notable due to the controversy surrounding Shen’s 2023 appointment, where Pope Francis had to acknowledge China’s unilateral decision. Despite this, Francis focused on the 1924 meeting as a key moment in Vatican-China relations in his opening message.
He emphasized the need for the Chinese church to have a local identity and learn from past mistakes made by foreign missionaries who refused to empower the local clergy, contributing to anti-Western sentiments in China.
Shen also spoke about the importance of the Catholic Church embracing Chinese culture and society while respecting the pope’s guidance in being a good Christian and citizen.
The Vatican has been working to mend ties with China in the aim of uniting the country’s Catholic population and reconciling the division between the official and underground churches. The 2018 agreement between the Vatican and China sought to find common ground on the appointment of bishops.
During the conference, the Vatican publicly acknowledged past errors, reiterated its support for a Chinese Catholic Church, and assured that it does not pose a threat. Cardinal Parolin emphasized the role of the papacy in preserving the universal nature of the Catholic faith, free from political influence.
Overall, the conference served as a platform for the Vatican to show their commitment to building a harmonious relationship with China and promoting a Catholic faith deeply rooted in Chinese culture and society.