Letter from Bishop Fiorenza to President Bush on Religious Freedom, August 31, 2001

August 31, 2001

The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500 

Dear Mr. President, 

Allow me to express my pleasure, and that of the Catholic Bishops of the United States, that you will shortly be visiting the Peoples Republic of China. We consider this an important opportunity to engage that great nation, some of whose policies over the past half century have, unfortunately, wrought so much pain and suffering for many. 

I know you will stress clearly in your meetings with the Chinese leadership our countrys abiding concern over Chinas dismal record on human rights and religious freedom. Members of many religious and spiritual groups, from Tibetan Buddhists, House Church Evangelicals, practitioners of Falun Gong, and millions of Roman Catholics have paid dearly for their beliefs. Those in prison or other confinement for their faith must be released.

While urging you to do all you can to press the authorities to protect the basic human rights of the Chinese who today suffer religious and political discrimination and even persecution, I would make a special appeal for your intervention on a matter of deep concern both to the Holy See and to the Catholic Church in the United States. It is the question of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Peoples Republic of China. 

Among the essential elements of the Catholic faith, and a sign of effective and complete freedom of religious practice, is the ability of Catholics to maintain a visible bond of communion with the Pope. The local Church must be free to organize itself, and to maintain bonds of communion and lines of communication with the Holy See, as well as with their fellow believers in the universal Church. The presence of an official representative of the Holy See should help dispel misunderstandings and enhance the freedom of religious believers in China. 

Grateful for whatever you can do to further these goals, and assuring you of prayer for the success of your important mission, I remain 

Sincerely yours,  

Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza
Bishop of Galveston-Houston
President