Trump goes to the Commission for the protection of religious freedom, appointing Archbishop Dolan, opponent of the pact with Beijing among the members
The clash between the United States and China intensifies in view of the next conclave. Second Vatican Newsamong the topics addressed yesterday by the cardinals during the general congregations, there was also that of the “churches of the East, their suffering and testimony”. It cannot therefore be excluded that, on the occasion, the purple have faced (also) one of the main bequests of the pontificate of Francis: that of the controversial agreement Sino-Vatican on the appointment of bishops. An agreement whose main director was the cardinal Pietro Parolin And which has also been supported by various groups that have become particularly powerful under the deceased pontiff, such as the company of Jesus and the community of Sant’Egidio.
The point is that the Filocinese Catholic world does not seem too compact. Wednesday, the American Jesuits magazine, America Magazinereported that, during the congregations, the cardinal Beniaminino Stella he would have “attached” pope Francis For excessively involving the lay people in the government of the Church: according to the newspaper, many cardinals would have considered the “disturbing” criticism and would even have been “amazed”. Let’s not forget that Jorge Mario Bergoglio belonged to Jesus’ partner. And this contributes to explaining the irritation expressed by America Magazinewhich, although not mentioning the Chinese dossier in the article, wanted to underline how the ultraottanenne Star be a “supporter” of Parolin. That Parolin Which, together with the Jesuits, was among the main proponents of the distance of the Holy See against Beijing. This therefore suggests that the Filocinese party is less cohesive than it may appear.
Among other things, Thursday, the American newspaper The Pillar He published a significantly entitled article: “Parolin It may not be the candidate’s favorite candidate from China for the conclave. “If this were confirmed, other names may emerge. Let’s think about the cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle: very close to Bergoglio and the proponent of the Sino-Vaticano agreement, he had in the past had relations with the Society of Jesus. Matteo Zuppialso in favor of the relaxation with Beijing, in turn plays another game, although the historical ties with Sant’Egidio can end up with the Torreglicisi against the Conclave.
In short, there does not seem to be a compact Filocinese block. It is also not excluded that the purple pro Beijing are finding themselves in an uncomfortable situation. It is now known that the People’s Republic has repeatedly violated the agreement with the Holy See. Just as it is known that, a few days ago, in the middle of the vacant apostolic seat, the Chinese authorities have allowed the “election” of two auxiliary bishops. All this, without neglecting that, in recent years, XI Jinping He subjected the Catholics of the People’s Republic to an indoctrination process, not to mention the arrested prelates.
If the “Chinese party” is in difficulty, the United States are making their moves. The day before yesterday, Donald Trump He established a Commission for Religious Freedom. It is true that it is an organ mainly aimed at safeguarding the first amendment within the United States. However, it should not be overlooked that the first Trump administration criticized the Sino-Vatican agreement precisely in the name of the protection of religious freedom. A position, this, taken from the American pecking ambassador at the Holy See, Brian Burchwho, during the hearing in the Senate for the ratification of his appointment in early April, said he believed it important “that the Holy See maintains a pressure attitude on the Chinese government regarding the violations of human rights, in particular to the persecution of religious minorities, including Catholics”.
Creating this new commission, Trump He then launched a double signal. First: the timing is not accidental, given that the organ was established a few days after the start of the conclave. Secondly, Trump has also included Catholics among its components, such as the Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolanwhich is among the cardinal voters and which the same Trumpa few days ago, he had given a sort of unofficial endorsement. Let’s not forget that Dolan It is one of the most critical purple of the agreement between China and the Holy See. And that, in addition to being papable, could carve out a role of “director” within the Sistine.
But there are those who fear the moves of Trump. “Dad Francis it was the anti Trump. Not politically. But as a religious and universal vision, “said, on Wednesday, the founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio, Andrea Riccardiunderlining that the American president would be supported by the “evangelical” set with the theology of prosperity. “It is a completely different movement from the Pope of Rome,” he sentenced. Riccardiwho recently complained about the journalists “who do not study”, should however know that, in 2024, Trump has conquered the majority of the Catholic vote (15% more than Kamala Harris). They may not go to genius a Riccardibut the Catholics pro Trump exist. Just as there is that US church which, largely, is still interested in the defense of “non -negotiable values” and which does not pretend to be anything when Catholics are persecuted by the Chinese communist regime. We understand that a Riccardi All this cares little. He, moreover, goes to dinner with Emmanuel Macron: an aborticist who has warmly received XI Jinping to the Elysée.
