CHURCH IN CHINA

Press, Volume C, Issue 29621, 18 September 1961, Page 8

CHURCH IN CHINA

Government’s “Failure” (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) VATICAN CITY. Sept. 16. Communist China has failed in its effort to set up its own “Patriotic” Catholic Church, the Vatican news service Fides reported. But the loyal Roman Catholic Church on the mainland China remains in a “tragic state,” Fides said, according to the Associated Press. Fides. in a current news roundup, reviewed events in Communist China in the four years since August. 1957, when the Communists first set up what they call a “Patriotic” Church without ties to the Vatican. It is said the “Patriotic” Church now had 35 bishops, all considered illegitimate by the Vatican because they were not named by the Pope. “We affirm that the Catholic ‘Patriotic’ Church has remained skeletal." said Fides. “A very feeble number of priests surround the 35 illegitimate bishops.

"Certain ones of these seem to be completely blinded ar\d drawn by a false patriotism, but others are suffering and would turn back if they had the occasion or the courage." It said the 35 became bishops “after months and in many cases years of moral torture, with minds destroyed by indoctrination and probably with their free will alienated.” The “Patriotic” Church depended on secular Communist authorities for support because “it is without influence.”

Fides said the mass of priests, religious and laity had not followed the "Patriotic” Church.