Democracy Archives

New archbishop says Vatican courtship of China doesn’t imperil Taiwan
- Jul 20, 2020
In comments to media over the weekend, Taipei’s new Archbishop Thomas Chung An-zu said he is confident that the Vatican’s apparent courtship of China will not have an impact on Taiwan’s relationship with the Holy See.

By Elise Ann Allen
Hong Kong church leaders divided on protests
- May 27, 2020
One of the Catholic Church’s leading experts in Chinese affairs has said church authorities in Hong Kong are divided about pro-democracy protests over a new national security measure that China is attempting to pass in the territory, and there is also a degree of disappointment over the Vatican’s silence on the issue.

By Elise Ann Allen
In Hong Kong, going back to Mass could be calm before the storm
- May 25, 2020
On Friday Cardinal John Tong Hon, administrator of the Hong Kong, announced that the city will return to public Masses in June – at the same time China is expected to pass a new national security law that has pro-democracy activists already taking to the streets.

By Elise Ann Allen

Zen awarded US pro-democracy prize as Vatican steps closer to China

Feb 15, 2020

Several days after Chinese Cardinal Joseph Zen, an outspoken critic of the Vatican’s approach to China, received a prize from the U.S. government for defending democracy in communist China, the Vatican’s foreign minister had an historic meeting with his Chinese counterpart.

By Elise Ann Allen

Hong Kong conspicuous by absence from list of Pope’s Christmas concerns

Dec 26, 2019

When Pope Francis ticked off all the countries suffering political and violent unrest during his traditional Christmas blessing and prayed for peace in these nations, one city, Hong Kong, which is currently in the thick of months of heated protests, was notably absent from this list.

By Elise Harris