Sun, Dec 30, 2007 page8

• LETTERS: On the Vatican and China

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  Following your editorial ("The Vatican's deal with the devil," Dec. 25, page 8) the question is raised: Is the Vatican really dealing with the devil? Or are we still caught in our own mist?

  The Catholic Church takes eight days, from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1, to celebrate Christmas; we call it "Christmastide." It is precisely to celebrate the love of God for man for entering into this imperfect human world. He lowered Himself down in order to exalt the whole of humanity.

  With the editor calling someone a "devil," why should the Catholic Church be blamed when its only mission is to save souls? Are we not indebted to the Catholic Church, which, following her Savior Jesus, is also willing to lower herself down for a valuable dialogue with the "devil" for the good of all?

  The editorial reveals a certain anxiety that the Catholic Church is losing her morality and causing Taiwan to be sacrificed. On this issue, former Holy See minister of foreign affairs Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran delivered a talk entitled "Is the Holy See a political power?" at Fu Jen Catholic University on Nov. 22, 2005.

  He pointed out that as the father of the Catholic faithful all over the world, the Pope would never leave those in Taiwan. The Church does not recognize herself as a "political power" but a moral power. If that is not enough, one can find valid points in his speech on what "political," "power" and "Holy See" mean from a Catholic perspective.

  Moreover, one cannot be forgetful of his quote from Blaise Pascal: "The essence of power is to protect" -- if there is any "power" at all acquired by the Catholic Church.

  The editor has no doubt about "Beijing's good graces" toward the ordaining of three Vatican-approved bishops. However, "today the Catholic Church seeks no privilege from China and its leaders." In his letter to the Chinese Catholics on May 27, Pope Benedict admits the question of episcopal appointments is "one of the most delicate problems."

  Nevertheless, "the Pope, when he issues the apostolic mandate for the ordination of a bishop, exercises his supreme spiritual authority: this authority and this intervention remain within the strictly religious sphere."

  Naturally, for the Church, "there would not be any particular difficulties with acceptance of the recognition granted by civil authorities on condition that this does not entail the denial of unrenounceable principles of faith and of ecclesiastical communion."

  Since the editor also recognizes that "the lure of business does not apply to the Vatican's relations with Beijing," it is time to throw out the worldly-business interpretation on the Catholic Church: "The Apostolic See sincerely seeks to be a friend to all peoples and to collaborate with persons of good will everywhere in the world."

  We are still celebrating the Christmas Season. Why don't we join together in the resounding of Christmas carols, wishing peace to this disordered world?

  Fr Raphael Ling

  Taipei

  The editorial in my opinion was very offensive, beginning with its title. The fact that you don't like something does not give you the right to demonize it.

  What a difference to the last words of Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) on the installation of the new archbishop of Taipei on Nov. 25! The message on that occasion was not so different to your editorial, but done in a very respectful way: She hoped the Vatican would not sacrifice Taiwan for the sake of opening relationships with China.

  The fact that China still violates human rights should not prevent other countries from trying to have diplomatic relationships with China. On the contrary, there is all the more need for Chinese to have the support of the international community in their struggle for respect of their basic rights.

  Your main criticism of the Vatican is its concern for the number of souls, which you compare to the concern of other countries to the money they would get through their relationship with China. You attribute to selfish interest that which is only common sense: China does exist.

  I hope that all countries will be able to have diplomatic relationships with both China and Taiwan. Countries can have embassies in both North and South Korea, as before they could in West and East Germany. It is not the fault of other countries to be forced to choose between Taiwan and China.

  I hope that China and Taiwan will be able to solve their mutual problems in a way that allows all Chinese and Taiwanese to be represented in the international community. This sounds impossible now, but for God nothing is impossible.

  Regarding the concern of "abandoning Taiwan," many countries moved their embassies to Beijing but did not abandon Taiwan. If the Holy See eventually decides to move its embassy from Taipei to Beijing, that would not mean that the Vatican is abandoning Taiwan. The Vatican would find a suitable way to represent it.

  Furthermore, the Catholic Church will continue serving the people in Taiwan in the same way: The faithful, religious sisters and brothers, priests and bishops will not leave. The situation would be as in all other religions, which can be present on both sides of the Taiwan Strait without any problem. Nobody accuses the Protestant churches of abandoning Taiwan or dealing with the devil because they have a presence in China.

  I love the Catholic Church and I also love Taiwan. I suffer with this choice that the Vatican and all foreign countries are forced -- against their will -- to make between Taiwan and China.

  I am sure that the leaders of the Catholic Church in Taiwan feel this pain more than me and will do their best to protect the interests of the Taiwanese.

  I also hope your newspaper will be more respectful toward the Catholic community in Taiwan and toward the Holy See, both of whom are caught in this difficult dilemma.

  Sergio Edwards SVD (Divine Word Missionaries)

  Chiayi<
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