China Disqualifies the Virgin of Sheshan

Pilgrimages banned to the most important Chinese Marian shrine - on the day of prayer established by the pope.

ROMA (Chiesa) - During this month of May, in two days, the first of the annual days of prayer for the Church in China will be held, established by Benedict XVI in his letter to Chinese Catholics one year ago.

Traditionally, each May 24, thousands of Catholics from all over China go on pilgrimage to the shrine of Sheshan, dedicated to Mary "help of Christians," located on a lush green hill 30 miles south of Shanghai (see photo).

Heavier attendance had been expected for the celebration this year, of at least 200 thousand faithful. But it's not to be. And not only because of the terrifying earthquake that in recent days has made countless victims in Sichuan and has created difficulties all over the country.

The main obstacles to the pilgrimage have been deliberately set up by the Chinese authorities, and in particular by the Patriotic Association that regulates religious life.

The dioceses closest to the shrine - those of Shanghai, Wenzhou, and Ningbo - have been discouraged from organizing group visits of the faithful, and for the entire month of May the hotels and hostels in the area have been prohibited from welcoming Catholic pilgrims.

Individual visits are permitted only for those who - at their own risk - register with the diocese of Shanghai and ask for authorization.

In a five-point directive, the Patriotic Association has instructed all the dioceses to organize Marian devotions only in their respective territories, without going to Sheshan.

The directive was also ratified by the council of Chinese bishops, a puppet organization not recognized by the Holy See.

One of the five points formulates the prayer intentions: for the peace, for the pope, for the success of the Olympics, and for good results for the Chinese athletes.

These latter intentions sound like a twisted joke. The reality, in fact, is that the upcoming Olympics are not bringing an expansion of the opportunities for religious freedom in China, but rather a tightening of controls, for "security reasons".

Especially after the Tibetan revolts, any assembly of people - even around a Marian shrine - is viewed by the Chinese authorities as a possible threat. And it is discouraged, or obstructed.

Moreover, some of the Chinese authorities want to block the day of prayer established by the pope precisely because it is believed that this would create greater unity within the Chinese Church: among the officially recognized Catholics and the clandestine ones, and between all of these and the Church of Rome.

Free Catholic PDF's - Home / Parish / School / Bulletin Inserts

Within a few days, a book will be released in Italy on the overall situation in China just before the Olympics, written by a leading expert,

Fr. Bernardo Cervellera, of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions. The book is published by Ancora and is entitled "Il rovescio delle medaglie [The flip side of the medals]."

Fr. Cervellera is also the founder and director of the online agency "Asia News," which covers China extensively.

---

Chiesa is a wonderful source on all things Catholic in Europe. It is skillfully edited by Sandro Magister. SANDRO MAGISTER was born on the feast of the Guardian Angels in 1943, in the town of Busto Arsizio in the archdiocese of Milan. The following day he was baptized into the Catholic Church. His wife’s name is Anna, and he has two daughters, Sara and Marta. He lives in Rome.