Bangkok--Aug 29--Francom Asia
Airtimes: Saturday, July 30 at 21:30 and 24:00
Sunday, July 31 at 17:30 and 22:00 (replays)
Hong Kong's outspoken Catholic Bishop Joseph Zen is well-known for spurring debate over the separation of church and state. A staunch supporter of social consciousness and religious freedom in the region, Bishop Zen shares his views with Lorraine Hahn on CNN’s TALK ASIA.
Bishop Zen deflects criticism that his beliefs show a lack of regard for the differences between church and state. “As people we are members of the church but we are also members of the society. I think in the modern understanding of the role of the church, we have to be part of the society,” he said.
Bishop Zen is also optimistic about future ties between China and the Vatican, which currently don’t have diplomatic relations.
“We know very well that in recent years the Vatican was always very anxious to start some dialogue with authorities in Beijing, but it seems the Beijing authorities were not very interested. Now these events last April, the passing away of the Pope and the coming of the new Pope, may have been a very good occasion for the Beijing authorities to get interested. To switch [diplomatic
] relations to Beijing from Taiwan has already been decided in the Vatican so there’s no difficulty at all. I think they should start talking,” he said.
Log onto CNN’s dedicated website for TALK ASIA, www.CNN.com/talkasia, to find out more about all upcoming guests.
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