Coleridge mocks Chinese Catholics, but communists are digging claws into the church
Hong Kong Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen speaks out against a deal between the Pope and the Chinese Communist Party. The cardinal’s blog, February 28:
If he (Pope Francis) signs any deal they want, we can only accept it … But before the eventual signing, it is our right to make the truth about things known, because this can change the direction and avoid serious dangers for the church.
Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge, Queensland’s top Catholic, responds to the Catholic News Agency story on Zen, Twitter, March 1:
Things can be tough in China, I know, but I just wish the Cardinal (Zen) would smile once in a while.
What does Zen really have to smile about, Archbishop? Honestly? The Australian, January 31:
(Zen) spoke out after the Vatican promoted two bishops from the Patriotic Association, a puppet church established under Mao Zedong in 1957 as a socialist substitute for Catholicism.
Pope Francis seems to have sided with Xi Jinping’s puppets. Zen speaking to The Australian, January 31:
From the 1st of February attendance to mass in the underground (church which is loyal to Rome) will no longer be tolerated. So do I think that the Vatican is selling out the Catholic Church in China? Yes, definitely …
All the while, persecution of Catholics rolls along. Things really can be tough in China. Britain’s Catholic Herald, September 9, 2016:
Chinese authorities have arrested the coadjutor bishop of Wenzhou, China, and local faithful say it is to prevent him from taking possession of the diocese.
We thought Coleridge understood this China situation wasn’t a joke? Brisbane’s Catholic archbishop on Twitter, December 31, 2016:
Hard to know what #China means — #Vatican must be “flexible & pragmatic”, Chinese Catholics “independent”. Do it our way or else perhaps?
Coleridge is not getting a good response from Australian Catholics. A sarcastic Twitter response to Coleridge from “Joe Catholic”, with a picture of the Crucifixion attached, March 1:
Things can be tough on Mount Calvary (where Jesus Christ died), I know, but I just wish they would smile once in a while.
Not a good look for an archbishop who reportedly aspires to higher things. Coleridge speaking to The Canberra Times, April 4, 2012:
Some people have called me ambitious.
Talking of bad looks, here’s what Barnaby Joyce reportedly told Malcolm Turnbull in a heated meeting. Joyce, as reported by Sky News, February 15:
I’m sure if we had the time, Tony (Abbott) and I could get the numbers.
A Nationals MP interfering with the Liberal Party? Heavens above. The then deputy prime minister speaking in Canberra, February 16:
There is nothing that we dislike more than implied intervention into the party processes of the National Party.
No wonder Abbott was sad to see his former deputy go. The ex-Liberal prime minister on Facebook, February 23:
Joyce’s move to the backbench will be a loss to the government … Ever since I brought the previous maverick on to the frontbench in opposition, Barnaby has been a strong performer.