Opposite signs on the troubled line Beijing-Rome. This is what Mons. Savui Hon Tai Fai, secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and one the most authoritative chinese members within the Vatican curia, recently put in evidence.

In an interview with the french newspaper “La Croix”, Hon said that «the Holy See knows that it's an illusion to think about a government as it was before». The reference is to the implied agreement on ordinations between China and Vatican: an «agreement» that Beijing interrupted through the illegitimate consecration on 15th November in Chengde and the meeting of the pro-government «espiscopal conference» on 8th December in Beijing.

«After the Olympic Games in Beijing and the Shangai Expo there is no more reason to make concessions» by the Vatican, confirms Hon.

The member of Propaganda Fide accuses the Patriotic Association for «breaking the dialogue and trying to realign the bishops faithful to Rome». Hon also points out «a sort of weakness within the Church» of China, above all for what careerism and political identification concerns: «An ambitious and careerist priest can be recognized as a bishop from the government. Later on he will think that Rome will forgive».

Meanwhile, Minister for Religious Affairs, Wang Zuo'an, admits that «in the past Christianity was treated as a foreign religion» in China. «But now it isn't considered as a stranger anymore. In China there are a lot of christians but just a few religious members. There is not enough staff for a development program among christians».