14 May 2007
6. You had served in the secretariat of state for a long time under John Paul II. During that time it is said that you made a great effort toward establishing diplomatic relationship with China.
Tell us why the diplomatic ties with China are necessary for the Vatican? Do you think religious freedom would be brought into China if the ties are established? Do you think the two countries would agree soon to do that?
China has several million Catholics. The numbers are not certain but may vary from 8 to 18 million. Given such a multitude of faithful, the Pope wishes to have his representative there in order to take care of their pastoral needs. The Chinese government under certain conditions would be ready to accept a representative of the Pope but only as an Apostolic Nuncio (i.e. papal Ambassador). The Holy See, on its part, sets a preliminary condition for sending an Apostolic Nuncio: the freedom of the Pope to appoint bishops. Certainly the role of the Apostolic Nuncio would be beneficial in safeguarding religious freedom. The real obstacle comes from the Chinese government which is not yet willing to stop its interference in the appointment of Catholic bishops, which means: in the conduction of the Catholic Church in China. The Holy See and China can easily reach an understanding once this preliminary question is resolved.
7. Catholics in Japan are less than 1% of the whole population. Does the Vatican see any problem with this situation? Does it have any strategy to increase the number of Catholics?
The Holy See has no problems with Japan. Last November, when welcoming the Japanese ambassador, His Excellency Mr. Ueno Kagefumi, Pope Benedict XVI stated that “the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of your country have contributed to spreading the fundamental human values”, and he added “Society’s recognition of the spiritual dimension, which is giving rise to an authentic dialogue between religions and cultures, cannot but encourage a common journey in brotherhood and solidarity; this alone will make possible the integral development of the human being”. The Catholic Church is opposed to any form of proselytizing; it only asks the freedom of announcing the Gospel. The Word of God carries its own dynamic. In the Gospel it is written:
“This is how it is with the reign of God. A man scatters seed on the ground. He goes to bed and gets up day after day. Through it all the seed sprouts and grows without his knowing how it happens.”
The Holy See gives utmost importance to the right of every human being to receive freely the announcement of the “good news” of the Gospel.