Chinese officials called on newly elected Pope Benedict XVI to follow two principles in order to help improve relations between China and the Vatican. First, the officials asked that the Vatican sever its ties to Taiwan, and second, that the Church stay out of China’s internal affairs.

China officials consider Taiwan a rogue province and have consistently refused ties with any nation that regards the island as being independent of Mainland China.

The Chinese government does not recognise the authority of the Pope since the Catholic Church appoints its own bishops and priests.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said that the Pope should cut the "so-called diplomatic relationship" with Taiwan and recognise that it is part of an "inseparable" China. He also added that the pope should not "interfere" in China’s internal affairs "including in the name of religion."

Today, China’s Catholics are divided between two churches: the government approved "Patriotic" Catholic Church and the Vatican approved underground Roman Catholic Church.

Relations between China and the Vatican have been strained since the Vatican’s ambassador was expelled in 1951. The expelled ambassador fled Mainland China and went to the island of Taiwan, which was under a separate Chinese government following a civil war two years earlier. Since then, the Vatican has not had official ties to the Chinese government.

Underground Roman Catholics in China number from 10 to 15 million according to Vatican estimates. The Chinese government reports that its national church has 4 million members.





Francis Helguero
Christian Today Correspondent