And especially the newer bishops. Everybody knows they were appointed by the Holy Father. |
Because they are having full power in many places, and especially at the national level, they are above the bishops. That cannot be tolerated by the [Roman] Catholic Church, and so they are going to lose their power. They are worried. |
But there will be time. |
By appointing their own bishops hastily and illegally, they [the Patriotic Catholic Association] tried to impose their own selection on the Vatican. This shows disregard for the spirit of the negotiation and disrupts mutual trust. |
I agree mainland China's situation is different. The Vatican may make concessions and let China give its opinion, but it won't let Beijing have total say. |
I can confidently say these are not major problems. They can be overcome. |
My impression is that they've entered into real talks. |
Only the Holy Father can decide which men are suitable. But if the government is worried about an appointment, they can give their views. |
The final word should not be exclusively on the side of an atheist government. |
Winter has passed, and spring has come. The seeds you have sown with tears will bear fruit very soon. |
Yet it is not my blood that has been shed -- it is the bleeding tears from the numerous, nameless, heroes in both the official and underground churches who have suffered for being faithful to the church. |