 |
THURSDAY January 13, 2000 vol. 11, no. 9 SECTION THREESee why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!"
e-mail: webmaster@dailycatholic.org |
|
| ||||
|
| ||
|
| ||
Already red-faced from the farcical try to mock the Pope by ordaining their own bishops which backfired tremendously and alienated even Chinese Patriotic Catholics, the news that one of the highest Buddhist officials had successfully fled China to take up refuge with the Dalai Lama who also escaped China years ago, was the straw that broke the camel's back in Communist China. Overtures are that they will retaliate by clamping down even harder on all religions not state-run. continued inside.
BEIJING, JAN 11 (ZENIT) - Following the rebellion of many Catholics, who
refused to attend the ordination of bishops of the Catholic Patriotic
Association, and the escape of the young Karmapa Lama from Tibet, the
Chinese Communist Party has called for greater control of religions in
order to "guarantee political stability."
"It is necessary that all who have responsibilities, especially
directors, attentively study the Marxist concept of religion and, based
on the law, reinforce the administration of religious affairs," Chinese
Minister Zhu Rongji said today, during a meeting held in Beijing with
directors of all local religious offices.
The control of religions this year will be "even harsher," the State's
Muslim adviser, Ismail Amat, said, who mentioned "hostile Western and
local forces that use religion to infiltrate the country."
Zhu Bangzao, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed
that China will not allow any country to interfere in its internal
affairs in the name of religion. The spokesman did not refer directly to
the Vatican, but the Beijing government's position is well-known, that
the Pope's spiritual authority over the Church constitutes a threat to
Communist control.
On January 6, the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, controlled by
the regime, consecrated 5 bishops without John Paul II's approval.
According to the international agency "Fides," an additional 9 priests
rejected episcopal ordination as a sign of respect for the Pope, even
though they knew perfectly well that their opposition would trigger
anger in the communist authorities.
In recent days, news arrived that the third highest Tibetan Buddhist
religious authority, the seventh Karmapa Lama, has fled to India,
crossing the Himalayas on foot, accompanied by two lamas. The
15-year-old boy, was the only important personage in the Tibetan
Buddhist hierarchy recognized both by Beijing as well as the Dalai Lama.
The Chinese government had placed its bets on the youth in order to
guarantee the support of the Tibetan people, given that the Panchen Lama
imposed by Beijing against the Dalai Lama's will is not accepted by
Tibetan monks, who prefer the Panchen Lama named by the Dalai Lama.
ZE000011108
One of the most influential cardinals in Africa Cardinal Francis Arinze, currently President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has to be concerned for his own beloved Nigeria where a tough Islamic law will be imposed on all in the northern state of Zamfara in Nigeria. No one has worked more closely with the Moslims and this latest edict has to be discouraging for Cardinal Arinze and many Christians who fear these strict measures could be an eventual tool of persecution. continued inside.
ABUJA, NIGERIA, JAN 12 (ZENIT).- The northern Nigerian state of Zamfara
will introduce strict following of the Sharia, or Islamic law, on
January 27. Citizens of this poverty-stricken region will face the
sometimes severe prescriptions of this code, such as amputations for
theft and public flogging for drinking alcohol.
The initiative is strongly supported by Muslims, but has alarmed the
Christian minority. Peter Hain, British Foreign Minister, told the
"Daily Telegraph" that "North-south tensions could be exacerbated by the
introduction of Sharia," since the north is primarily Muslim and the
south Christian.
It is expected that other northern states will follow Zamfara's lead in
applying the Sharia. Ahmed Sani, Governor of Zamfara, assured that the
measure would "reduce crime and restore morality to our corrupt
society."
Authorities have assured that the law would only apply to Muslims and
"consenting Christians," but the minority Christian communities fear
that inter-tribal relations will be poisoned by the measure.
The law will affect all citizens to some degree in any case. Women will
be banned from playing soccer, men and women will have to use separate
buses, and motorcycle taxis will face prosecution for carrying female
passengers.
ZE99011121
For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site at the
CWN home page and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales and the Dossiers, features and Daily Dispatches from 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.
Through the stewardship of Catholic Journalism you can help us reach more souls by sending whatever you can to help keep the DailyCATHOLIC going strong since it is the only daily publication of its kind for Catholics anywhere in the world in daily promoting the truths of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Send whatever donation you can to help this apostolate to the: DailyCATHOLIC, 1585 Green Oak Road, Vista, CA 92083 or call: 800-I-DO-PRAY (800-436-7729) or see We need your help
