Chinese-American bishop sees hope for future of church in China

Published: 2005-07-15

TORONTO (CNS) -- The first Chinese Catholic bishop ordained in North America said he is optimistic about the future of the church in China. Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius C. Wang of San Francisco, who visits China about every other year, said that in parts of China the lines dividing the government-approved church from the underground church remain invisible. During one of his visits he recalled seeing a bishop of the government-approved Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and a bishop of the underground church living in the same residence. "If they need help for confirmation they would even ask each other," he said. But in other places of China, underground and patriotic leaders "are hostile to each other." He said, "There will always be problems there. It's not black and white; we need to work with the gray." The bishop, who was in Toronto in mid-July to celebrate the 18th anniversary of the city's Blessed Chinese Martyrs Parish, said he remains optimistic on future relations between China and the Holy See.

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