Cardinal Duka warns that the Vatican’s secretive deal with China could spell disaster for the independence of the Catholic Church.
At a Glance
- Cardinal Duka, a critic of the Sino-Vatican agreement, expresses concerns rooted in his history of communist persecution.
- The 2018 deal allows Chinese government influence over the Church, threatening spiritual autonomy.
- The Pope’s veto power is called into question amid unapproved episcopal appointments by China.
- Growing pressure on Chinese Catholics to join state-sanctioned churches.
- Concerns are raised about the potential impact on Cardinal Parolin’s papal prospects.
A Troubling Deal
Cardinal Dominik Duka, drawing from his personal history of persecution under communist regimes, has voiced significant concerns about the Vatican’s dealings with China. He foresees disastrous consequences for the Church’s independence, pointing out that the 2018 Sino-Vatican agreement essentially hands the keys of ecclesiastical power to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). With local Catholics being forced to shift allegiance from Rome to a state-sanctioned church, the Vatican risks losing not just its authority but its very soul.
This clandestine agreement, while promising the Pope a veto on bishop appointments, has gone unchecked as the CCP appoints bishops at will. This situation not only challenges the agreement’s integrity but also echoes historical compromises that have eroded church authority under totalitarian regimes. Duka’s statement, “The question of the position of the Catholic Church in China, in light of my experience of persecution during communism, leads me to express some caution,” highlights the gravity of the situation.
Impact on Church Leadership
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a prominent figure in the Vatican hierarchy, finds his position fraught with controversy due to his involvement in the 2018 deal. Despite his efforts, the CCP’s dismissive attitude towards the agreement highlights a diplomatic failure that overshadows Parolin’s standing in the ongoing conclave. Some experts argue that this debacle has significantly dented his prospects of succeeding Pope Francis.
Chief amongst the criticisms is the fact that some episcopal appointments by Chinese authorities were only brought to the Vatican’s attention through media reports, sparking outrage among Catholics worldwide. Critics argue this sends a message of weakness, compromising the Church’s spiritual and administrative autonomy. While Parolin defends the need to dialogue with China, the increasing violations call his approach into question.
The Bigger Picture
The Vatican’s dilemma is compounded by the broader landscape of religious freedom in China, where “Sinicization” underpins a government strategy to control and sublicense all religions to state authority. With the CCP exerting unprecedented persecution against Chinese Catholics—likened to levels unseen since the Cultural Revolution—Cardinal Duka stands firm, comparing current events to his nightmarish experiences under the former communist Czechoslovakia.
“If the reports about the ban on the participation of young people in religious services, the obligation to report the names of Mass participants, or the restrictions regarding the appointment of bishops are true, then these are forms of persecution comparable to those we ourselves have experienced. One cannot be silent about these things.” – Cardinal Dominik Duka, O.P.
Human Rights Watch and China Aid have voiced similar apprehensions, urging Pope Leo XIV to reassess the Vatican’s stance. Yet, despite a growing chorus for reform, the Vatican extended the agreement, leaving many Catholics around the globe questioning this controversial decision. As the conclave unfolds in an atmosphere of uncertainty, the world waits to see whether the Vatican will uphold its founding tenets or yield to political expediencies.
