Vatican meeting on Church in China

The commission established by Benedict XVI in 2007 to study questions of importance concerning the life of the Catholic Church in China is currently meeting in the Vatican from 30 March to 1 April.

The commission includes superiors of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia with responsibility in this area, as well as certain representatives of the Chinese episcopate and of religious congregations.

In a statament the Vatican said: "The first plenary meeting, which took place from 10 to 12 March 2008, had as its theme the Letter the Holy Father Benedict XVI addressed to Chinese Catholics on 27 May 2007. The meeting considered how that pontifical document was received, both inside and outside China. Participants also reflected upon the theological principles that inspired the Letter in order to understand the prospects arising therefrom for the Catholic community in China.

"During the next plenary meeting, certain aspects of the life of the Church in China will be examined in the light of the same Letter. Particular attention will be given to important ongoing religious questions".

Source: VIS