Chinese bishop intervenes for the first time in the Synod of Synodality

There has been—so far—notable progress in the second week of the Synod of Synodality, and it is not precisely the resurgence of the “ordination of women” and other hot-button issues that are supposed to happen. they were not on the agenda for this month’s assembly.

Instead, on October 7, a bishop from the People’s Republic of China intervened: Bishop Joseph Yang Yongqiang, of the diocese of Hangzhou. This is a significant intervention because it is the first time that a Chinese bishop takes the floor to address his fellow Synod delegates.

Bishop Yang, who also participated in last year’s assembly but withdrew before the conclusion of the session, is one of two delegate bishops from mainland China appointed to the synod by Pope Francis, having been the protagonist, in June last, of the first “transfer” of dioceses under the Sino-Vatican agreement.

The bishop read a short speech in Chinese with simultaneous translation. Synod sources told EWTN News that his comments, which were not broadcast, focused on three main points: the history of Chinese Catholicism, China’s agreement with the Vatican on the appointment of bishops and cultural exchange.

According to a source in the Vatican Secretariat of State, a delegation from the Holy See was in Beijing in the last week of September to negotiate the renewal of the controversial agreement, possibly for three or four years this time.

Bishop Yang, who is expected to remain until the end at this year’s plenary assembly, spoke positively about the provisional agreement, saying it will deepen relations between the Holy See and his country.

He also extended an invitation to Synod participants to visit China and highlighted the importance of “Sinicization,” the term used to refer to efforts to ensure that the Church in China has a distinctively Chinese character and is aligned with the government’s goals. communist of the Asian giant.

Meanwhile, Bishop Norbert Pu of Chiayi, Taiwan, told EWTN News that he is in dialogue with Chinese bishops at the synod.

All this highlights that the Synod of Synodality can be a space to build bridges between different places and cultures. However, that dimension of the Synod may be overshadowed by attempts to revive attention on controversial issues that were believed to have been reserved for the various study groups to address.

The fact that these issues recur in various forms testifies to the pressure on both sides to change or reaffirm the traditional doctrine of the Church.

The issue of women’s ministerial ordination arose in one of the interventions this week, according to Synod sources, as well as during a press conference on October 8, where Sr. Mary Theresa Barron, of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles, said that “Some women feel a call to the priesthood or diaconate”.

At the same briefing, Cardinal-elect Jaime Spengler, Archbishop of Porto Alegre (Brazil), addressed the issue of dispensing with the discipline of priestly celibacy in regions where there is a shortage of priests.

Meanwhile, the need for greater pastoral care for people LGBTQ+ was the central topic of a side event which took place on the same day, sponsored by the association Outreach of Fr. James Martin, SJ, and the Jesuit company America Media. Among those attending was Cardinal Stephen Chow of Hong Kong.

Finally, the role of bishops in a synodal Church was a prominent topic at an open theological forum held on October 9. Among the participants were Cardinal-elect Roberto Repole, Archbishop of Turin (Italy); Sister Gloria Liliana Franco Echeverri, ODN; Professor Carlos Maria Galli; Professor Gilles Routhier; and Professor Matteo Visioli.

The panel was very varied. Galli, a professor at the Argentine Catholic University, immediately stood out as one of the most profound interpreters of Pope Francis’ thoughts. He highlighted the figure of the bishops in terms of “brothers and friends.”

The Sister Franco Echeverri urged the bishops “not to waste time on bureaucratic issues” and not to “cover up or bury anything” in case of abuses. Routhier stated that the bishop is “a brother among brothers,” while Visioli spoke of the concept of “power,” divided into the dimensions of “order” and “jurisdiction.” The first refers to sacramental acts and the second to government functions.

Will any of these questions be included in the final document of the Synod? That remains to be seen, but it is clear that the debate continues.