Our Holy Father, during the general audience of last April 18th at the Vatican, speaking about the early Church and specifically of the arrest of the Apostles Peter and Paul who had performed a miraculous healing, said "Before dangers, difficulties and threats, the early Christian community does not try to analyze how to respond, find strategies, what to do. Before such hardships, it goes down to prayer, getting in touch with her God."

The Church who lives in China needs more courage to keep the radiance of the Church's countenance, not to blemish it with failings and compromises because of unjust demands. The atheistic Chinese regime, despite the openings in the field of economy, has not changed its policy in religious matters. That of controlling and enslaving religions and, as for the Catholic Church, to separate the Church in China from its foundation of unity, the See of Peter.

According to the Marxist doctrine, every scheme is justified to reach the Party's goal, including persecution and allure. If you obey, you get money and honor. If you do not obey, you will suffer together with your family: you lose your job, your freedom and - if they manage to make you fall in some temptation - even your honor.

At present there are still two old Catholic bishops in captivity for more than ten years. Other bishops and priests are taken away for 'rehabilitation' programs, for weeks and even months. At times, the Communists are back to their usual means of brutality and torture. The strategies of psychological pressure are so many and so diverse, that it is hard to enumerate them.

Our hope as Christians is rooted in God's mercy who never leaves his people. It is rooted in the Risen strength which gives power to the poor trough the Holy Spirit. My hope is in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin who prays with the apostles in the Cenaculum. The Bible tells us about fidelity and infidelity. Unfortunately, ecclesiastics suffer major temptations and quite a few, lured by instant gratifications, do betray the Church. Even our meek Holy Father calls them 'opportunist.' Our hope, the hope of the Church who lives in China, is in the people who believe. When people and clergy are united and strong in faith, they will be able to give courage to their shepherds.

If we look at China from a political point of view, we unfortunately realize that true progress is not granted by the technical-economic progress. Peking government arrogance and the complicity of the rest of the world are conspiring against the basic rights of many human beings in China. It is a sad and shameful view. Corruption and power abuse at highest level, as well as cheating and dishonesty, are spreading widely. In our country, which prides itself of a long standing tradition of high morality, lie is the supreme ruler. The poor and the weak are suffering and dying. Those who defend them are regarded as enemies of the country. Violence is spreading and dishonesty will affect even its supporters.

If the world thinks it can just watch the scene, will be soon engulfed by the tsunami of a spiritually dead civilization.