DAILY CATHOLIC TUESDAY August 10, 1999 vol. 10, no. 149
NEWS & VIEWS |
CHINA TELLS POPE NOT WELCOME IN HONG KONGHONG KONG (CWNews.com) - Communist China has told Pope John Paul II that he will not be welcome to visit Hong Kong later this year when he visits Asia, according to the Archdiocese of Hong Kong on Monday.The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the Vatican's diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, which China sees as a breakaway province, was the reason behind the refusal. Archdiocesan officials said they were told several weeks ago that the Holy Father would not be coming, but no reason was given.
Mary Seung, spokesman for the archdiocese, said the lack of
formal relations with Beijing, which has controlled Hong
Kong's foreign affairs since regaining sovereignty in 1997,
is at the root of the problem. The Vatican refused to
comment on the report. "We have no comment. We don't give
out any information until two months ahead of a trip and
the Pope's visit to Asia is planned for the end of the
year," a Vatican spokesman said.
|
Articles provided through Catholic World News and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales and International Dossiers, Daily Dispatches and Features at ZENIT International News Agency. CWN, NE and ZENIT are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provide this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday. |
NEWS & VIEWS DAILY CATHOLIC |