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Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Mainland Chinese Catholic Websites Told To Remove Full Text Of Papal Letter

BOUCHER, François (b. 1703, Paris, d. 1770, Paris)
Chinese Dance 1742
Oil on canvas, 42 x 65 cm
Musée des Beaux-Arts, Besançon



Zenit reports that some Catholic websites in mainland China that uploaded Pope Benedict XVI's letter to Catholics in the mainland shortly after it was released were ordered hours later to remove it.

Qin Gang, a Foreign Ministry official, said:

"We have taken note of the letter released by the Pope. China has always stood for the improvement of China-Vatican relationship and made positive efforts for that. China is willing to continue candid and constructive dialogue with Vatican so as to resolve our differences."

However he went on to say that improving China-Vatican ties still has two conditions: the Vatican must sever its so-called diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognize the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing all of China, and it shall never interfere in China's internal affairs, including in the name of religion.

Interesting times ?

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