China's Catholic wall crumbling

Local parish plans pilgrimage to offer solidarity

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

"The people are opening up and wanting to reach out. It's the perfect timing for us, Western Catholics, to go to China to show we are concerned and that we understand," John Keng, trip organizer told the WCR.

Close to 500 years ago, Christianity first reached China through the efforts of a group of Jesuit priests. During the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and the earlier takeover by the communist government, the churches were confiscated and closed.

Later, a government-controlled registered church system was adapted, while an underground Church continued to exist. In recent years, the government authorized the re-opening of many worship places, including Catholic churches.

Today, in Mainland China, it is estimated there are over 14 million Chinese Catholics and the number is growing rapidly.

Keng, who was born in China but grew up in North America, emphasized how important it is to connect with other Catholics in China as they go through a lot of changes.

Chinese Catholics discovered the Second Vatican Council not too long ago with the translation of council documents into Chinese languages.

Nowadays, rural and even urban churches still celebrate Mass in Latin. But the vast majority of Catholics in China celebrate Mass in the vernacular.

"They appreciate and delight with the experience of celebrating Mass in the vernacular," Keng said, who travelled extensively in China and witnessed the re-opening of many Catholic churches.

Religious are also moving out from the convents to do social service work.

"To see people struggling but trying to be faithful to the faith, strengthens my own faith," said Keng, who once worked for the United Nations.

Keng believes the Chinese people are beginning to think independently from the government.

"The government began to realize that religion could be a stabilizing force in a very materialistic society." - John Keng

"They now begin to ask what is the true meaning of life and having a faith is one of the answers they find."

He sees the exchange of experiences between the westerners and the Chinese as a sign of solidarity and unity in Christ.

During his trips in China, Keng observed many changes in the country. Being a Catholic he paid attention to how the Church in China is evolving.

"In the early '80s, I observed how the Church was very timid to express its faith. But now things have changed.

"The young people are becoming more open in expressing themselves. They started to think about their future and what is the meaning of life."

This is what encouraged Keng to organize this pilgrimage.

"In the last five years or so, the government began to realize that religion could be a stabilizing force in a very materialistic society.

"In this trip, I like to share with Canadian Catholics what I have been seeing during the past 10 years.

"The other side of the coin is to let Chinese Catholics meet with Catholics from the West.

"They are beginning to emerge again and I want to bring them an experience of fellowship with the Canadian Catholics."

Matthew Hertz and his wife Beth went to China almost four years ago. Matthew is going again, this time with the pilgrimage group.

He is encouraged because he saw how China's "philosophy is starting to change from what it has been."

"I'd like to see what the Church is doing in China. It broadens my participation in the Church to see what is happening in other places."

A similar trip was made eight times by a group from the U. S. called, U.S. China Church Bureau in Washington D.C. Amitie Chine in Montreal is another group dedicated to reaching out to Catholics in China.

For more information call John Keng (780) 988-6394, Matthew Hertz (780) 430-8959 or John Calpas (403) 317-2262.

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