CATHOLICITY IN CHINA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 27, 6 July 1899, Page 20

CATHOLICITY IN CHINA.

AN important step has just been taken in China in regard to the status of the Catholic religion in that empire which can scarcely fail to mark the opening of a new era for the Church in the East. The Emperor has signed a decree which has been approved by M. Hichon, the representative of France at Pekin, which grants official recognition throughout the Empire, and accords official status to the clergy. The decree consists of five clauses and bears the date of March 15. The preamble states : • Churches of the Catholic religion, the propagation of which has long been authorised by the Imperial Government, being now erected in all the provinces in China, we are desirous of seeing the people and the Christian s live in peace, and, in order to render the protection of Christians easier, it has been arranged that the local authorities shall exchange visits with the missionaries under the conditions specified below.' Then follow articles by which bishops, being equal in rank to viceroys and governors, are declared entitled to visit the latter. Yioarsgeneral and archpriests are, in like manner, entitled to audiences of treasurers and judges, while other priests may demand audience of prefects. The two last articles run as follows : * When a grave or important affair concerning a mission arises in any province, the bishop and missionaries on the spot shall ask for the intervention of the Minister or Consuls of the Power to which the Pope has entrusted the religious protectorate. The latter will arrange and settle the affair either with the Tsung-li-Yameu or with the local authorities. In order to avoid the necessity of long proceedings, the bishop and missionaries may also first apply to the local authorities with whom they will arrange and settle the affair. When a bishop or missionary oalls on a mandarin on business the latter is bound to negotiate it without delay in a conciliatory manner and seek a solution. The local authorities should give timely warning to the i inhabitants of the place, and strongly exhort them to harmony with the Christians. They are not to cherish hatred and cause troubles. The bishops and priests shall also exhort the Christians to strive to do good in order to maintain the good repute of the Catholic religion, and act so that the people may be content and grateful. When legal proceedings take place between the people and the Christians the local authorities ought to judge and settle it equitably. The missionaries shall refrain from interfering and giving their protection with partiality, so that the people and the Christians may live at peace.' Writing 'from Pekin, on Easter Sunday, Mgr. Favier says : — This edict will not deliver us completely from partial persecutions. The bandits and rebels will always exist, but at least the Imperial Government, by this convention, gives evident tokens of good will, 'for which we must feel grateful. New converts can now no longer be counted ; whole districts wish to become Catholic. The struggle between St. Michael and the demon has commenced and will last, perhaps, -for years, but it seems as if the time for the conversion of the Chinese is at hand. That will be a blessed day for our missionaries and all true Catholics, litre dies guam fent Dominut, exul-tamus-et latemur in ea.