"If you follow Catholic news at all, you're no doubt aware that Cardinal Joseph Zen, 90 years old and former bishop of Hong Kong, was recently arrested by the Chinese Communist government and charged, in effect, with being a dissident. In truth, Cardinal Zen has been a fearless defender of democracy and religious liberty. Even though the Cardinal was detained for only a short time and then released, there's little doubt that he will continue to be monitored and bullied by the Communist government. His arrest also highlights the plight of the Catholic Church in China that increasingly is being harassed by government officials.
"The persecution of the Church in China is not unique. In many places of the world, religious freedom is being suppressed and the Catholic Church is being attacked. . . . The Vatican has reported that last year 22 Catholic missionaries were killed for their faith. The age of the martyrs is not over.
"Remembering
the real sufferings of other Catholics around the world lends some
perspective on our own minor inconveniences and complaints, doesn’t it?
Perhaps we've become just a little too comfortable, too complacent in
the practice of our faith."
In a recent commentary, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence
(RI), reflected on on the responsibility and privilege we have in being a disciple of Jesus..
To access Bishop Tobin's complete essay, please visit:
The Imitation of Christ: Witnessing To The Faith (19 MAY 22)
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