Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-13
ROMAN CATHOLICS IN CHINA
BETWEEN IMPERIAL
GOVERNMENT AND CHURCH.
Exact Terms by Which Prelates Are
Able to Deal Personally
with Omcials.
From the New York Sun.


Here are the exact terms of the agree
ment entered into between the Chinese gov
eminent at Pekin and the papal secretary
of state, Cardinal Rampolla del Tindaro.
acting through the vicar apostolic of
Pekin, Mgr. Favier:
THE imperial government, having for a
long time authorized the propagation of the
Catholic religion, and Catholic churches
having in consequence been established in
all the provinces of China. we are DESTROYS
to see our people and Christians live in
harmony. To insure a reader protection
1t has been agreed that the local authori-
ties shall exchange visits with missionaries
according to the conditions specified in the
following articles:
First. In the ecclesiastical hierarchy
bishops shall be entitled to the same rank
and dignity viceroys and governors. and
shall be privileged to interview vceroys
and governors.
''In case a bishop is called away or dies
the priest in charge shall be privileged to
interview viceroys and governors. Wears
general and archpriests shall be privileged
TO interview treasurerS and judges as well
as intendants. Other priests shall be priv
LEGGED to interview projects of the first
and second class, projects Independent, sub
projects and other functionares, all of
whom shall return courtesies, according to
rank.
Second Bishops shall make list of
the priests appointed to take charge of
affairs and interview the authorities Civ
ing names and locations of missions This
list snail be sent to the viceroy or governor
who will direct under-oficials to receive
them according to this regulation.
PRIESTS requesting interview, or those
especially appointed to take charge of af-
fairs. should be Europeans. IT, however a
European priest be not conversant with the
language of China he may be accompanied
by chinese priest acting an inter-
prefer.
Third. 1t would be useless for bishops
living away from cities to visit the provin-
cial capital for the purpose of being re-
ceived by the viceroy OF the governor IL
they have no business in hand. At the in
stailatlon OF new viceroy or governor
upon the arrival of a new bishop or upon
any occasion OF ceremony as New Year
Day and the principal feasts bishops shall
be privileged to write private letters to
In. me viceroys and governors. at the same
time 1nclosing their cards. Viceroys and
governors shall return the courtesy. Re
lore leaving or upon their arrival other
priests Shall. provided they have a letter
i I'm e1eir bishop, be privileged to inter-
view. ETC., according to their rank
II any grave or important matter con
eeihihg any mission In any province should
arse the bishop and missionaries in office
snail appeal to the minister or members
or the council which the pope has annofnted
as a religious protectorate. The latter shall
nave the right of deciding, together with
we lsuhs-il- amen or the local authorities
question by either bishop or a missionary
ne must give the matter Immediate and no
lite attention and institute an inyestfsa-
ton. i'
AS occasions arise the local authorities
snail counsel the people, exhorting them to
unite with the Christians. They shall never
encourage hatred or countenance dissension
bishops and priests shall likewise exhort
all christians to strive earnestly toward
maintaining the good repute of the Catho-
nc reiision. so that the people may be con-
tent and appreciative In any suit between
the people and the Christians the local an
thorltes shall judge and rule with equity
that the people and the Christians NAV live
In peace. Missionaries shall neither inter
iere nor give their protection with partial
ity." pa '
The purpose Of the concordat was to give
Catnollc prelates official standing to ena-
bic them to overcome curious Chinese et{-
quette and to deal personally with officials
rather than, as In the past, with the con-
suls 1t was step in the direction of good
government and not Of necessity religious
propaganda.
The Roman Catholic Church has no mis-
sionaries from America In China Almost
all of its missionaries there are from
France, few from Italy and Belgium and
very few from Holland All are members
of orders. since 1t Is found that orders can
act as missionary societies, raise funds and
maintain discipline far better than could
the Propaganda Eide acting direct and deal
Ing with seculars. The latest figures from
the Missiones Catholicae, issued by the Pro-
pagande Eide at Rome and covering the
Chinese empire are neary twenty months
old They estimate the population Of all
China to be 40, 155. OOO giving their figures
by districts. and give the Catholic popula-
ton as so, 44S