The Diocese of Shanghai on July 27 issued a circular saying that Catholic priests who officiate funeral prayers at the city’s Longhua Funeral Parlour should produce their identity cards to prove they are state-recognized priests. Across the globe, a Catholic priest’s approval comes from the Church and its Sacrament of Holy Orders. But in China Catholics face an absurd situation. The recognition of priests come from the state administration that functions under the atheistic communist party.
Members of the underground church, who do not submit themselves to the state administration, are not eligible to use the Shanghai funeral parlour because their priests cannot enter it. But if some among them insist on using the parlour, they will have to seek the help of a priest from the state-approved open church.
For many who are unfamiliar with communist machinations, it is a simple issue of limited funeral options. They would say the underground Catholics can use other funeral parlours in the city or have funeral prayers at home. “What is the big deal?” they might ask.
However, it not easy for an underground priest to conduct funeral prayers in a Chinese home. Several regulations and restrictions prevent them from holding prayer rituals in the homes of Catholics openly and honestly. It deprives the deceased of their right to have a decent funeral and burial or cremation.
The notice is even more devastating from another point of view. It has stirred up the conflict between the underground and open Catholic communities in the diocese. The notice came from state-approved diocesan officials, and naturally the underground community is upset by it. But those who are angry about it are falling into the trap of the government.