More Pressing Issue

I read with interest an article published in March 2010 issue of the Far East (a magazine of the Columban Missionaries I subscribe to) entitled “What Would You Do?” which featured Chinese Christians’ creativity given the political and religious challenges experienced in their country. Let me mention three out of eight various cases featured.

One example was about a young Catholic mother who was pregnant for the second time. Because China implements ‘one child policy’, the mother is faced with three options: abortion, bribing a sterile woman to say that she is the baby’s mother, or move to Hong Kong. She opted for the last one. The child’s future is secured by having a Hong Kong identity card.

“Not much of a difficulty”, you might say. Well, here’s another one.

There was a young priest serving a community of ‘unofficial’ Catholics (Chinese government has broken ties with the Vatican which resulted in the division of the local Church. ‘Official’ Catholics are those sanctioned by the government and do not recognize the Pope’s authority. ‘Unofficial’ Catholics remain loyal to Rome and have therefore gone underground.). He got a scholarship to study in a neighboring country, but still requires a passport. To obtain one, he has to answer various questions including his profession. If he says he is a priest he will not be allowed to leave. If he states a different job he needs to prove it. He decided to bribe the officials. Catholics refused to lend him as this would mean condoning corruption. However he managed to find the money. He thinks that he has a valid reason for doing this as his aim was “…to better serve the Church”.

“A priest, bribing? That’s impossible! That’s against our faith!” you would complain. Alright, read on.

A bishop was asked by his visitors from Western countries if he will give cash donations to the victims of an earthquake that rocked a province in 2008. He said no, but added that he gave a huge amount of money to the officials. His explanation: “Because one does not the right to short-circuit the authorities in charge!” He added that if he didn’t give money to these officials (whom he accepted to be corrupt), the development of his diocese (e.g. planning permissions) would be doomed. He concedes that “one gives and gives.”

I’m hearing you shouting: “Now you’re talking about a bishop resigned to the existence of evil instead of fighting against it!”

The writer of the article cautions readers not to be easily led into criticizing our Chinese brothers and sisters in the faith. “For many Catholics in China the only way to survive is to be resourceful.”

As we celebrate the Solemnity of St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, let us keep in our prayers the Church in China that its members would continue to keep that faith alive. Let us also take this occasion as an opportunity to thank the Lord for the gift of faith and for the privilege of professing it without any fear whatsoever. Let this feast also be a time for us all to work together for the Church. Indeed, the problems besetting Catholics in China is one issue that the Church, especially the hierarchy has to deal with. A pressing issue that needs more attention than this new English translation of the Roman Missal!