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Zen says he won't act as Beijing's Vatican emissary

Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen (陳日君) yesterday rejected a Chinese official's call for him to persuade the Vatican to accept Beijing's conditions for restoring ties.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Commissioner Lu Xinhua (呂新華) on Wednesday asked Zen to persuade the Holy See to respect Beijing's "one China" principle by severing ties with Taiwan and not to use religion to meddle in its internal affairs.

While Zen said it was "flattering to receive advice" from Lu, he cautioned Beijing against attempting to supersede the Vatican's authority on religious matters.

"If Beijing's position is to take over the authority for ordaining bishops ... [this] would do no good ... and would not be accepted by the majority," he said.
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