The Holy See Press Office announces that the the "Letter of the Holy Father Benedict XVI to the Bishops, the priests, the consecrated persons, and the lay faithful of the Catholic Church in the People's Republic of China" will be available tomorrow, at noon, Rome time (for journalists, under embargo, the letter will be available three hours earlier).
Since Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong said a few days ago, to the French daily Le Figaro, that the Chinese authorities would receive advance copies of the letter "two or three days in advance", that would explain the reports that the Bishops named by the government have been summoned to Beijing to be told how to "receive" the document (UCANews).
The calendar announced by Cardinal Bertone in his interview to Avvenire on June 3, 2007 follows the expected order: first, the letter to Chinese Catholics; then, the motu proprio on the liberalization of the Traditional Mass.
Since Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong said a few days ago, to the French daily Le Figaro, that the Chinese authorities would receive advance copies of the letter "two or three days in advance", that would explain the reports that the Bishops named by the government have been summoned to Beijing to be told how to "receive" the document (UCANews).
The calendar announced by Cardinal Bertone in his interview to Avvenire on June 3, 2007 follows the expected order: first, the letter to Chinese Catholics; then, the motu proprio on the liberalization of the Traditional Mass.
Thanks for finding that Zen interview.
ReplyDeleteHere is a recent post from Clerical Whispers.
Interestingly enough, the publication is taking place ten years to the day after Hong Kong was transferred to China from the British. Probably a coincidence, but interesting nonetheless.
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