As Pope Faces Crisis, Cardinal Warns of Split in China
- Hong Kong’s retired bishop, Zen, faults talks with Beijing
- Vatican deal on bishops could pave way for diplomatic ties
Cardinal Joseph Zen, Hong Kong’s former bishop, says he is warning the Vatican against making a deal with China.
(Source: Bloomberg)This article is for subscribers only.
While Pope Francis battles rare criticism from senior clergy in the Vatican, he’s facing a warning that the Roman Catholic Church risks devastating division from Asia.
Cardinal Joseph Zen -- the retired but still outspoken former bishop of Hong Kong -- told Bloomberg News last month that he wrote to Francis to denounce efforts by the Vatican to reach a landmark agreement with Beijing on the appointment of bishops in China. Zen cautioned in a July letter that such a deal, which could lift a barrier to restoring diplomatic relations with Beijing, may also create a schism among the local faithful.