TNAG-2598-FCO40-3786-Appointment-of-Chris-Patten-as-new-Governor-of-Hong-Kong--Ap-1992 — Page 91

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CONFIDENTIAL

FM HOLY SEE

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 24

OF 201125Z MARCH 89

CONFIDENTIAL

AND TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG, PEKING

HK/EXTERNAL

053000 MEHIAN 7481

MIPT: VATICAN OFFICE IN HONG KONG

FOLLOWING IS TEXT OF AIDE MEMOIRE WHICH MONS CELLI OF THE SECRETARIAT OF STATE GAVE ME ON 16 MARCH:

SECTION

1. ON FEBRUARY 20TH LAST, THE SECRETARIAT OF STATE FOR RELATIONS WITH THE STATES INFORMED THE BRITISH EMBASSY THAT THE HOLY SEE INTENDS TO OPEN AN OFFICE IN HONG KONG.

2. AS WAS POINTED OUT ON THAT OCCASION, THE PURPOSE OF SUCH AN OFFICE WOULD BE OF ECCLESIASTICAL (NOT DIPLOMATIC) CHARACTER, SINCE IT WOULD HAVE PRIMARILY THE FUNCTION OF GATHERING

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SITUATION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN

CHINA AND COORDINATING IN A DISCREET WAY THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES IN FAVOUR OF THAT SORELY-TRIED CATHOLIC COMMUNITY.

J

3. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE SAID OFFICE WITH THE MEANS NECESSARY

TO CARRY OUT EFFICIENTLY THE TASK ENTRUSTED TO IT, THE SECRETARIAT OF STATE REQUESTED THE COOPERATION OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IN OBTAINING FOR THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OFFICE CERTAIN FACILITIES, NAMELY THE USE OF THE DIPLOMATIC POUCH AND OF THE CIPHER.

4 THE SECRETARIAT OF STATE HAS EXAMINED THE REPLY GIVEN VERBALLY BY HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT, ACCORDING TO WHICH THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ABOVE-MENTIONED OFFICE WOULD APPEAR AS IF ATTACHED TO THE STAFF OF HIS EMINENCE, JOHN BAPTIST CARDINAL WU, BISHOP OF HONG KONG.

5. THE PERSON WHO WILL BE CHARGED WITH THIS PARTICULAR MISSION WILL NATURALLY HAVE TO WORK IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH CARDINAL WU. IT WILL, HOWEVER, BE NECESSARY THAT HE BE RECOGNISED BY ALL, IN THE ECCLESIASTICAL FIELD, AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HOLY SEE AND HENCE AS INDEPENTENT OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL STRUCTURES OF THE DIOCESE OF HONG KONG.

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