Run away from Tibet
The Dalai Lama’s officials wanted to get the 17th
Karmapa out of the press limelight, and in to a secure monastery where
he can rest and recover from exhaustion, blisters and scapes incurred on
his journey.
His escape from Tibet is the most significant exodus since the Dalai
Lama in 1959 and an embarrassment to mainland China, which had approved
his enthronement.
On the same religious issues, the wise are free from perplexities,
the virtuous from anxiety, and the bold from fear. That Vatican must
insist its Holy mirrors of world.
A senior Vatican official gave assurance that diplomatic relations
with Taiwan are not in danger, despite recent reports that China and the
Vatican were edging closer to establishing ties.
Archbishop Paul Cordes, who arrived in Taipei, said that Taiwan
need not worry about possible changes in its ties with the Holy See.
He stressed that the Vatican would never forsake its long-standing
relations with Taiwan.
Cordes, who is chair of the Vatican aid agency Cor Unum, also said
his visit is indicative of the cordial ties between the two sides.
Last month, the French Le Figaro reported that the Vatican and China
held extensive talks last year on establishing formal ties and had
reached the stage of negotiating a joint communique.
Beijing may have slowed the process when its state-controlled
Catholic church last week ordained five new bishops without the
Vatican’s approval. The mainland’s official church does not
recognize papal authority, including the Pope’s rights to appoint
bishops.
China insists that the Vatican sever ties with Taiwan before
establishing formal relations. The tiny papal state and
Macedonia are Taiwan’s only diplomatic allies in Europe.
Taiwan invited Cordes for a six-day visit to thank him for his
agency’s assistance to the island’s earthquake victims.
