Pluralism Good, Confusion Bad

This past week has witnessed another impertinence by the Chinese government in its authorization of the ordination of Reverend Lei Shiyin to the episcopacy.  It made the pope sad.  Not only is there no mandate from Pope Benedict, Lei Shiyin incurs excommunication.  Those assisting in the ordination are also susceptible to similar penalties, provided they were not coerced into their action.  Not long ago, there was a tremendous push toward normalization of Vatican-China relations, at times with the Vatican using very soft language in its communications.  It even floated the possibility of accepting government appointees if they were worthy.  This was given an even higher profile through the use of the Vatican web site, which began to publish a Mandarin edition in the last year or so.  Outreach to Catholics--or would-be Catholics--in China has not been so concerted since before the Cultural Revolution.

The fact is that there is real need for the Gospel to be planted in Chinese soil.  It is one of those frontier territories that has the potential to yield enormous results for the Church.  And yet the message the Vatican sends to the Chinese authorities at this point is not altogether clear, in part because the Vatican's diplomatic corps has changed its tack.  The Chinese cannot be expected to understand the necessity of a united episcopate and its theological roots.  They should be expected to understand an approach to dialogue based upon realpolitik. 

I have no doubt that the Vatican continues to send emmisaries who visit with key officials on questions of diplomatic relations where the Church's unique polity is discussed with candor.  China, similarly, uses its own back channels.  What everyone can agree upon, however, is the richness of the Chinese Catholic contribution to a pluralistic Church.  Even the most strident Communist would recognize this.  Even the most nationalistic Chinese would want to be a part of something like that.  But decision makers on both sides need to communicate with crystal clarity to avoid wounding either party.  The souls of millions are in the balance.