China's state-controlled Catholic Church may invite Hong Kong's newly appointed cardinal, Joseph Zen (陳日君), to visit the mainland in hopes of improving Sino-Vatican relations, a newspaper said yesterday.
The Church has recently discussed inviting the outspoken critic of Beijing, the South China Morning Post quoted Chinese Bishop Fang Xingyao (房興耀) as saying.
Fang's comment was the first positive sign from the state-backed Church since Zen, a strong supporter of China's underground Catholics, was named cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI last month.
Fang, who is vice chairman of the Chinese Catholic Bishop's Regiment, also called on Zen to refrain from criticizing Beijing's policies and to help boost ties between mainland and Hong Kong churches.
"The normalization of diplomatic ties between China and the Vatican is very important, and we hope Cardinal Zen can make a personal effort to help solve the issue," Fang was quoted as saying in Beijing on the sidelines of the annual meeting of China's ceremonial legislature.
Fang's remarks contrasted with those of another Chinese Church leader, who on Friday said he suspected the Vatican appointed Zen as cardinal because the pope wanted to challenge Beijing.
Liu Bainian (劉柏年), vice chairman of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, said the Roman Catholic Church was active in toppling communism in Poland. He suggested Zen's appointment was part of a similar strategy in China.
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