By Catholic News Service HONG KONG — A Hong Kong Court fined Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, 90, and five others for failing to register a humanitarian fund set up to help people arrested in anti-government protests pay legal fees. Cardinal Zen, retired bishop of Hong Kong, was fined 4,000 Hong Kong dollars (US$512) for failing […]
Hong Kong: Five-day trial set for Cardinal Zen, four defendants
By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — At a pre-trial hearing in Hong Kong, a judge set a five-day trial for Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun and four other defendants who face charges of failing to properly register a now-defunct fund to help anti-government protesters. According to an Aug. 9 report by the […]
Citing ‘police state,’ Asia cardinal urges prayers for Hong Kong
Catholic News Service YANGON, Myanmar — Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, urged prayers for Hong Kong after the detention of Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun. “Hong Kong used to be one of Asia’s freest and most open cities,” Cardinal Bo said May 14. “Today, it has been transformed into […]
Maryknoll Sisters celebrate 100 years of ministry in China
By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — It was 100 years ago — on Sept. 12, 1921 — when the Maryknoll Sisters assigned its first group of sisters to China, the order’s first mission. One sister has been there nearly half that time, 49 years to be exact. To mark the 100th anniversary, Maryknoll […]
Authorities in China arrest underground bishop, priests
By Catholic News Service HONG KONG — Authorities in northern China have arrested a Vatican-appointed Catholic bishop, his seven priests and 10 seminarians in what is seen as part of a renewed crackdown on the underground Catholic Church in the communist country. Ucanews.com reported police arrested 63-year-old Bishop Joseph Zhang Weizhu of Xinxiang May […]
Congress looking into disappearance of Chinese bishop
By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — The disappearance — and rumors of the possible death — of a Chinese Catholic bishop was the subject of a July 30 hearing by Congress’ Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. The prelate in question, Bishop James Su Zhimin of Baoding, was arrested in 1997. “We are saddened […]
China accused of hacking Vatican computers
By Catholic News Service China has been accused of hacking Vatican computers as well as those in the Diocese of Hong Kong and other Catholic organizations in May. The hacking appears to be an attempt to gain an advantage in talks between the Vatican and China, due to resume as early as this week, about […]
Amid new tensions in China, Vatican tells bishops, priests to follow their consciences
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has told bishops and priests in China that they must follow their own consciences in deciding whether to register with the government, and it urged Catholics in the country not to judge them for the choices they make. The problem, the Vatican said, is […]
Vatican names two reconciled bishops to head Chinese dioceses
By Michael Sainsbury Catholic News Service SYDNEY — As part of its ongoing efforts to reconcile China’s Catholic communities, the Vatican recognized two previously excommunicated Chinese bishops as heads of dioceses. The move came after an unprecedented Beijing meeting that included a group of Vatican officials led by Pope Francis’ chief China negotiator, Archbishop Claudio […]
Pope to Chinese Catholics: Time to heal, restore unity, evangelize
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The recent Vatican-China agreement on the nomination of bishops seeks the true good of the church, the promotion of preaching the Gospel in China and the re-establishment of the church’s full and visible unity, Pope Francis said in a message to Catholics in China and worldwide. […]