– Books and reviews –

FROM CHINA WITH FURY: "THE LAMB AND THE DRAGON", BOOK-INTERVIEW WITH CARDINAL JOSEPH ZEN

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We point out to readers’Patmos island a book-interview with Cardinal Joseph Zen edited by Aurelio Porfiri, bringing the text of the preface to the work by Giovanni Cavalcoli, ON.

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Aurelio Porfiri so his debut in his book: "I lived in China, Macao to be exact, for seven years. Seven years when I learned about a little more difficult reality of modern China and its major challenges and contradictions. If it has to do with China it will be very easy to come across at some point with the name of Cardinal Joseph Zen, currently bishop emeritus of Hong Kong.

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Cardinal Joseph Zen, leading figure of the Chinese Church, is certainly not the type that sends word. His "observations" direct to the way China is governed in our day annoy - and - the central government, so much so that the Cardinal is not allowed to re-enter the Mainland China, where it comes from. Many observers of Chinese things are divided on its name, between those who favor the attitude of confrontation and who criticizes the lack of diplomacy ".

The book is an interview with the Cardinal Zen, in which it is the nature of Chinese communism in his relations with the Church and the Vatican. The Chinese people are not materialistic, although Christians of various denominations continue to be a small minority. Cardinal highlights how the Chinese ruling class is essentially attached to a power that wants to dominate as much as possible on the population and on the Church itself.

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Cardinal speaks very frankly: «Communism does not stand, which means at some time, when communism came to power, there is power! there is no longer Marxism: there is not, in China there is no Marxism. So those who have realized that there is no longer Marxism, that there is nothing in the place of Marxism,even begin to doubt, thinking, but there are those who are holding firm to the party, in power [He banged his fist on the table ed]: those wanting to use it as they! these here, Unfortunately, they command. Those guys command, threaten all: it's all a country of slaves! Maybe those who think well have occasion to mettercisi, maybe because they are not very capable in fighting power, I'm not too interested in getting money and then they become the weakest ".

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It does not allow the existence of the episcopate, but you want the subject in power. By the Holy See arrive directives to maintain a wrong idea submission online, in the opinion of Cardinal, that a mild and condescending behavior can foster dialogue and peace.

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The Cardinal, instead, It is of the opinion that the bishops should speak out, because the rulers are taking advantage of the weak; but they are frightened and fall for those who show boldness and courage. Cardinal Agostino Casaroli has much prevaricated. Who has defeated communism was St. John Paul II. Benedict XVI was too submissive. The present Pope seems a decisionist, but in practice for three years he is leaving things as they are.

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The Cardinal then intends to solicit the Pope: "I am going to write a fiery letter to the Pope. I say: “Holiness, look, she must clarify his doubts soon, because time is not in our favor. she waits, He expects that the others have the good will to dialogue. It reached the end of its expected or not? Not yet known whether or not there is a sincere desire? I do not know yet after so much waiting? We can not wait anymore! Them if they take advantage! Now there is an apparent truce, But the are already ruining!”».

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Asked what should the Pope, He responds well: "Take the 24 May [World Day to pray for the church in China ed], when he asked everyone to pray for China, It took a phrase from Pope Benedict's letter that says nothing. Dice: because our people are elements of harmony in society. There are slaves, ferment of nothing, because they are slaves in society! Try saying: let's pray, they may all be faithful to the Church as our Lord has done, a, universal, Cattolica, with the Pope at the head ". (beats on the table!)…

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The government is afraid of the force, even now with all the strength I have! Where there is the large and strong clergy are afraid. They are afraid! However when one are weak, crush you! (He beats his fists on the table!) You think, when they manage to do to go against his conscience, have victory, because that man has lost dignity: now he can not lift his head, finished, He must always obey now! There the bishops are treated as objects ".

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Asked if he feels spied: "Spied yes, but threatened no. I say all I want to say, even in the toughest manner ".

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When asked what he plans for the future: "No one can be a prophet today: in China everything is unpredictable. But it is important that we work for the success of the well and do not help the other party to perpetuate this system that is truly evil. We must work to change and to maintain the good that there is still to counter the evil that is being developed: This is in China, like here. In China, we encourage you to sit tight on the principles of our Church, of our faith and in fact when we join, also it manages. And I have seen in some dioceses when they are united, the government does not dare ".

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It is not easy to judge, for a layman like me, on what may be the best choice, if the hard line or the soft and much less can we know what will decide the Pope. But here we are faced with two competent persons: Professor Porfiry and Cardinal Zen, so I would be led to believe that a hard line can be more effective. Anyhow, for us Christians, one thing is certain: that the papacy for decades insistently calls for a new evangelization and that the Chinese are called to enter into the kingdom of God.

[text taken from the preface of John Cavalcoli, ON]

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to buy on-line the work click on the image below

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