Chinese Commies won't allow "Patriotic Catholic" churches to re-open

May is the month of Mary. The non-essential Pope Francis has called on Catholics everywhere to pray to Her Immaculate Heart, pray the Rosary, make pilgrimages to holy places like Fatima... if they're allowed by the all-powerful state so to do.

But if the government says churches must remain closed because of the Dempanic, and that we must not gather together to pray -- just stay home! -- then of course we must obey the laws of the state, not God's law. Yes, he actually said that yesterday, in response to the call of the bishops of Italy for churches to reopen so people can have access to the Sacraments!

Italy is, of course, not the only country in which churches have been closed and gatherings of worshippers forbidden. [That applies only to Christians, of course. Ed.]  The bishops of the AABC countries (America, Australia, Britain and Canada) have drunk the liberal Koolaid and believe that the only way we can save ourselves is to follow our governments' guidelines, not our instincts which tell us that in time of crisis, the best place to be is in church, on our knees!

And then there's China. The bishops of the heretical and schismatic Chinese Patrioitic Catholic Association, to which the Vatican sold out back in 2018, have yet to utter a single word against the order of the Communist government to close all churches and "suspend" all religious activities, including not just worship but education. These are the requirements of the CPCA and the Council of Chinese Bishops, the two bodies that manage the life of the Catholic communities in China.

And now (this past Sunday), those authorities have ordered a "double suspension and a postponement" which will apply throughout the month of May. The first "suspension" is that churches will remain closed throughout China. The places of worship have been closed since January 23, the day the quarantine was triggered across the country due to the coronavirus.

In late March and early April, isolation was lifted from the country and the government pushed the population to resume normal life and go to work. But, the Commies warn, although "the epidemic situation in China is currently under control...the pandemic continues to spread abroad, and the danger of cases from abroad has found considerable growth.". Therefores, "the suspension of the opening of places for Catholic activities and for all religious activities must continue." Geddit, comrade?

The second "suspension" is for all activities related to Marian pilgrimages. The reality is that almost every diocese in China has a Marian shrine and these are highly popular during feast days relating to the Blessed Virgin and in particular in the month of May. This year, "no type of pilgrimage activity will be organized during the Marian month."

"To ensure the safety and health of priests and the faithful," says the new order, "please avoid any relapses caused by the gatherings of people; dioceses and parishes are required to suspend group pilgrimage activities, or organize interregional pilgrimages. The bishops and priests must notify their faithful in advance, asking them to pray in their home, recite the rosary, do meditation to venerate the Virgin Mary, spending this month dedicated to Her in peace." Just stay home, like the Americans, Canadians, Britons, Italians, French, etc etc.

The CPCA and the Council of Bishops say, as do our own bishops, that they are just following orders from the state, and that in order to "continue the anti-coronavirus work", it has been established that "religious gatherings should be avoided." Walt predicts that the end of May will see further extensions of the "just stay home" orders, not just in China but around the world. The difference is that in China there's a very good possibility that our churches and holy places may never reopen... ever!

Further reading: "Betrayed and abandoned: why China's underground Catholics feel like Jesus on Good Friday", by Mimi Lau, South China Morning Post, 30/3/18.

Further viewing: "COVIDGATE: Will Trump Lose in November?", by Michael Matt, editor of The Remnant newspapers. Best line: "Don't let them turn America into a medical dictatorship!"