By Greg Torode

HONG KONG (Reuters), – Senior Hong Kong Catholic clergymen received briefings from Chinese bishops, religious leaders, and the President of China on the vision of Religion with Chinese Characteristics. This unprecedented meeting was organized by the Representative Office in Hong Kong. Four clerics said that the four clerics were present.

The clerics who attended or had knowledge of the Oct 31 meeting described it as Beijing’s most assertive move yet in its attempts to influence Hong Kong’s diocese, which is answerable to the Vatican and includes some high-ranking leaders who have long been defenders of democracy and human rights in the semi-autonomous territory.

Although Hong Kong’s Catholic leaders had previously met with their counterparts on the mainland, this was the first formal meeting between the sides – and it was also the first time that mainland religious officials had initiated such a meeting.

They said that despite the symbolism of the meeting, officials from the mainland and religious leaders avoided a political message.

It was not revealed whether the meeting shed light on the role that Beijing’s Central Government Liaison Office, which is formally the mainland, but which traditionally has kept a low profile, played in Hong Kong.

As well as officials of the State Administration of Religious Affairs, the Liaison Office inspected the Zoom sessions. The meeting was attended by three prominent bishops of mainland China and approximately 15 religious personalities from China’s official Catholic Church.

Hong Kong is considered a single diocesan, so the Vatican has one bishop.

Both the State Administration of Religious Affairs (Liaison Office) and the Liaison Office did not reply to our requests for comment.

Susanne H, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese, stated to Reuters that the diocese does not reveal details about private meetings.

Matteo Bruni, Vatican spokesperson, did not comment.

NONE MENTION OF SIXI

The mainland speakers, without mentioning Xi, or issuing any orders or instructions, described how Xi’s “sinicization” policy was aligned to long-term Vatican policies for inculturation – adapting Christianity into traditional cultures. Two of the clerics stated that.

Xi was a proponent sinicization and set forth policies to encourage religions with “Chinese traits” and closer ties between the party and government. It includes tying religions more closely to Chinese culture, patriotism and goals of the ruling Communist Party and state to achieve Xi’s “Chinese dream”.

One cleric said, “This was only the first step. I felt that they understood they couldn’t come in too heavy or dogmatically.”

We all understand that sinicization has a political agenda, but they don’t need to explain it.”

Second cleric: “Xi was in the room as the elephant”

Two clerics stated that the Hong Kong side discussed the policy of inculturation over the years. The two sides avoided giving offence to any topic that could lead to interference on the mainland.

NEW BISHOP’S ORDINATION

This meeting took place just weeks before the ordination of Stephen Chow as the new Bishop of Hong Kong. It was a modest appointment by the Vatican, which followed two unsuccessful attempts at filling the position after Beijing tried to influence it.

A senior priest led the Hong Kong side, Reverend Peter Choy. This figure was widely regarded by Catholics in Hong Kong as being close to Beijing. It used to be its favorite choice for bishop.

Chow, the then-Bishop-elect, was only present for a brief time after the event had been opened. Three of the three clerics suggested that this may have given him more flexibility in future.

The event was opened by and concluded by Acting Bishop John Tong.

Spokespersons for the diocese said Choy and Chow were silent.

Some of Hong Kong’s commercial and government elites, such as Carrie Lam the leader, are Catholics and pro-Beijing. However, many Catholics in Hong Kong have been involved with anti-government and pro-democracy movements for a long time.

Xi said earlier in the month that every religion in China must accept the Communist Party. He was expanding on one his long-held beliefs.

“(We] must preserve the party’s essential direction regarding religious work. Our country must continue its direction for sinicization, religion must be sinicized. We must continue to take large numbers of religious believers and bring them together around the party,” Xi declared.

STRONGHOLD STILL REMAINING

Many diplomats and activists claim they will be closely monitoring developments after Beijing imposes a broad national security law in Hong Kong on June 2020.

These people see Hong Kong’s wide-ranging religious freedoms, traditions and rule of law as an example of “one country two systems”, the model that Britain used to hand its colony in China back to Britain in 1997.

The Basic Law (mini-constitution) that “one country, two system” governs explicitly guarantees freedom of conscience as well as broad religious freedom. This includes the freedom to proclaim in public.

Hong Kong’s church operates on pre-1997 lines. It is in constant contact with Vatican II and hosts a large foreign missionary presence.

According to Vatican officials, the deal between China and Holy See 2018 that sought to alleviate long-standing tensions by giving China a substantial say in Vatican’s selection of bishops is not applicable to Hong Kong.

Officials from both China and Hong Kong have stated repeatedly that they believe the city has maintained its wide-ranging freedoms including religious beliefs and affiliations.

Both sides came to an agreement that future sessions would be held, but there was no date set. Three clerics stated that the October meeting had ended in a loose settlement.

“The pressure on Hong Kong is increasing…Some of us see sinicization as code to Xi-nification,” said one. To resist, we will need to be creative.