Cardinal Zen supports Latin Mass and Monsignor Gänswein in new interview

Just turned ninety-one, a proud traditionalist and very close to Ratzinger, Cardinal Joseph Zen, Archbishop Emeritus of Hong Kong, has always criticised the provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops that the Holy See signed with China in September 2018, renewed last October. He talks about Ratzinger's sanctity, agrees with Monsignor Georg Gänswein on the issue of the Latin Mass, asks Bergoglio for a change of pace and tells how he is living this moment of trial, after the police arrested him last May, later releasing him on bail - for "colluding with foreign forces" in the context of managing a fund that helped protesters arrested during the pro-democracy and anti-China protests in 2019 to pay their legal and medical expenses.

On the occasion of Benedict XVI's funeral, you met with the Pope.  What did you talk about?

'It was a wonderful meeting, very warm.  I thanked the Pope for the good bishop appointed in Hong Kong in 2021.  He replied: 'I know it well, he is a Jesuit!' I then recounted my pastoral experience in the prisons of Hong Kong.  In these 10 years, I have baptised several prisoners.  Francis said he was very happy for this ministry of mine'.

The death of Benedict XVI has resurfaced contrasts between traditionalists and progressives.  What do you think of Monsignor Georg Gänswein's statements in his latest book?

"I have not yet read the book but I think it will be interesting.  I agree with Monsignor Georg Gänswein on the subject of the Latin Mass.  The tendentious generalisations in Francis' Traditionis custodes have hurt the hearts of many people.  Reading the motu proprio and the Pope's letter to the bishops, one notices an 'ease' and a 'tendentiousness' in linking the desire to use the extraordinary form of the Mass with a negative judgement of the ordinary form of the Mass, or a tendency to link the refusal to accept the liturgical reform with a total and profound rejection of the Second Vatican Council. Can't the Vatican's anti-Ratzingers wait patiently for the Tridentine Mass to die along with the death of Benedict XVI, instead of humiliating him in this way?"

Will Francis change his line?

"I don't know, but I hope there will be a change.  We are very worried about what might happen with the Synod of Bishops.  And I fear that the Synod will repeat the same mistake as the Dutch Church 50 years ago, when the bishops backtracked and accepted that the faithful led the Church; then their numbers decreased. Let us pray that our Pope will have more wisdom'.

Could Bergoglio also resign?

"I think so, if the Pope has serious health problems he should consider resigning. Pope Benedict XVI offered a very good example'.

The faithful are calling for Ratzinger to be a saint immediately.  What do you think?

"During the funeral I too heard the faithful and priests shout 'Saint now'.  It is a wish I totally share.  Now Benedict XVI is praying and interceding for all of us'.

How do Catholics live in China?

"It is a difficult situation, we must never forget to pray in these hard times.  Many faithful bear witness to their faith with conscience but we know that when the situation becomes difficult, some think only of their own interest.  Let us continue to stand for truth, justice and charity.  Darkness will not triumph over light'.

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