In spite of denials by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) that the Vatican is on the verge of severing ties with Taiwan, what officials indirectly say appears to tell a different story.
Ministry officials were cautious in statements responding to a recent report in the French newspaper Le Figaro, which claimed the Holy See and Beijing have begun negotiating the wording of a joint communique to establish diplomatic relations.
Foreign minister Chen Chien-jen (
However, when reporters questioned ministry spokesman Henry Chen (陳銘政) yesterday on whether bilateral relations were "better or worse" than the French newspaper reported, he declined to comment.
The Le Figaro article claimed that the dispute over who has the power to appoint Catholic cardinals -- one of the contentious issues between the Holy See and Beijing -- is close to being resolved.
The Vatican has reportedly given in to China and has agreed to choose among three Beijing-nominated candidates for the post.
Despite earlier reports from Hong Kong speculating on the possible shift of ties, Taiwan authorities have dismissed such reports, since the Hong Kong media has been dismissed by critics here as a mouthpiece for Beijing.
Unlike previous ministry responses such as "we are optimistic about ties with the Vatican," or "we will not comment on a hypothetical situation" or "what if the Vatican severs ties with us," Chen said the ministry was "doing its best" to control the situation.
Another ministry official, who wished to remain anonymous, voiced concern over why such speculation has surfaced again, just after the Vatican spokesman denied a similar report last week from the South China Morning Post.
"The ministry is keeping a close watch on this," he said.
"Maybe it's not Beijing who is raising these speculations this time," the official added.
The Le Figaro report said the main point of contention between Beijing and the Vatican now is over whether the state-controlled Patriotic Catholic Association -- which controls all churches not loyal to the Pope -- would remain "independent" or "autonomous" of the Chinese government.
Government control over religion in China has driven an estimated 10 million Catholic believers underground, creating a "shadow" church which remains loyal to the Pope.
The Vatican was reportedly adamant that it is "absurd" that "Catholics would have to report to the Communists before attending mass."
Meanwhile, political analysts here said the possible break in relations with the Vatican would not be as great a blow as it once would have been.
"The Vatican's symbolic value has diminished because of Taiwan's diplomatic ties with Macedonia. We still have a foothold in Europe," said Yen Chen-shen (嚴震生), a research fellow with National Chengchi University's Institute for International Relations.
"We don't like it but it is easier to swallow than a few years ago," he said. What is more important, said Yen, is whether recognition by the Vatican would bring greater religious freedom to China.
"There is a moral aspect to this. The US thought China would further democratize as a result of its engagement ... what kind of message would the Vatican send if Beijing continues to violate human rights?"
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