austraLasia 1509

Pope Receives Salesian  China delegates
(Note: austraLasia normally writes its own news, rarely takes whole news items directly from another public source, but it seems silly not to offer this item to our readership.  If it were to be used outside the context of austraLasia, then it would be ethical for people to contact UCAN for permission. Both the headline and some of the material in the version below are different from UCAN's version)

ROME (UCAN) -- Pope Benedict XVI may visit Hong Kong and China, depending on God's will, says the vicar general of Hong Kong, who greeted the Holy Father a few days after the pope created new cardinals. Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong was among the three Asian and 12 other new cardinals who each presented about 10 people, mostly family members and associates, to Pope Benedict on March 27 at Pope Paul VI Hall. 
    The present and two former heads of the Salesians' China province greeted the pope in Italian, while others greeted him in English. The current provincial, Father Savio Hon Tai-fai, told UCA News March 27 that the Holy Father talked with him first, since the pope recognized him from a previous meeting at an international theologians' gathering.  Father Hon added that he had been a student of Cardinal Zen. He told the pope that he represented Chinese youth, and pointed out that this year marks the centenary of the arrival of Salesian missioners in China.
    Father Hon assured the pope of their prayers. The pope said he needed their prayers very much, the priest recalled.  Cardinal Zen introduced Salesian Father John Baptist Zen as his classmate from 1944, more than 60 years ago. Both are from Shanghai.  The former provincial told UCA News that he professed his loyalty to the pope and told him, "Where there is Peter, there is Church." He also cited St. Cyprian as saying that whoever does not recognize the Church as mother cannot call God father.  Father Zen, who formerly was based in Hong Kong but now lives in Taiwan, also said he requested and received an extra rosary from the pope's assistant and will give both to his siblings.
    Salesian Father Ho Kwong-ling, the other former provincial, said his conversation with the pope was personal and he did not want to reveal its content. He is based in Hong Kong.
    Cardinal Zen introduced his two sisters, younger brother and relatives to the pope.  The cardinal told the press that Pope Benedict did not mention to him anything about a visit to Hong Kong or China.
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