The brave auxiliary bishop of Shanghai, forced to live in the seminary next to the Marian shrine of Sheshan after he publically resigned from the Patriotic Association, continues to communicate through his blog. An operetta to commemorate Paul Xu Guangqi, founder of the diocese of Shanghai, and many reflections on the greatness of God
Shanghai (AsiaNews) - The brave auxiliary bishop of Shanghai, Msgr. Ma Taddeo Daqin (who is still on "retreat" in the seminary of Sheshan, on the outskirts of the city) continues to communicate with others via his blog, where he posts articles, spiritual reflections and an operetta to commemorate Xu Guangqi composed by him.The Chinese government imposed restrictions on Bishop Ma in the exercise of his Episcopal ministry after he openly announced his resignation from the Patriotic Association during the ceremony of his ordination on July 7.
The Catholics of Shanghai say they know nothing of Bishop Ma's condition. One of them says he once saw him in Sheshan, alone, but did not dare say hello. Few of them, continues this lay man, visited the Basilica of Sheshan, in part to avoid creating problems to the bishop of 44 years.
Since his blog was reopened on July 16, bishop Ma has uploaded 6 items including the text of a Chinese opera in six scenes - composed by the bishop - about Xu Guangqi and his friendship with the Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci . But at the beginning of the text, the bishop explains that he wanted to compose this work to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the birth of Xu Guangqi, which falls this year.
The Catholic readers of the blog who live in Tianjin, Shanghai, Ningbo and other parts of China have responded to his articles by sending greetings, support and prayers for the bishop. However, the articles and music posted by Msgr. Ma do not speak directly of his condition. Readers have tried to read between the lines to understand a little at least of Bishop Ma's situation.
The last article posted September 3, is a collection of his thoughts on the spiritual reflections of Simeon Wells (1909-1943) that discussing suffer, of hurting others, faith, science and pain, creation and Christian love . In the previous one - titled " I'm just a child worth teaching " and published on 1st September - Bishop Ma expresses his love for China, its history, literature and Chinese culture.
A child can be worth or not worth teaching. Bishop Ma regards himself as more of worth teaching, and humbly describes himself as "shallow and narrow-minded". "A child's love is a love for life, a true love," he said." In the article, he says that he loves "being Chinese and a Chinese priest in China."
Over 20 years ago, the bishop left China for the first time to visit the Philippines: here was a witness of poverty but also the happiness of the local population. Later, he visited France, Germany and Switzerland.
The bishop is also a nature lover. He loves rivers and mountains in China, including Sheshan, where he enjoys the silence, the trees, the basilica protected by Our Lady, and this place for prayers. "Nature in China is a gift of God for the people in China. This helps us foster and transcend our soul, and to appreciate God's Creation," he wrote
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