In new book, Cardinal Zen calls for fidelity to Catholic Tradition amidst crisis in the Church

CV NEWS FEED // Cardinal Joseph Zen, emeritus bishop of Hong Kong and outspoken critic of the Synod on Synodality, has released a new book titled One, Holy Catholic, and Apostolic: From the Church of the Apostles to the “Synodal” Church. 

Published in Italian, the work provides reflections on the foundations of the Church and its current crisis, according to Samuele Pina, writing for a Substack series titled Traditio.

In the book, Cardinal Zen argues that Christianity is not merely a religion of the book but a faith deeply rooted in Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium. He wrote, “Jesus wanted to build his Church on the apostles, not on a book. The Gospel, written by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, should be interpreted in the living Sacred Tradition.” 

He emphasized that encountering Christ requires embracing Sacred Tradition, the Creed, and the Magisterium, asserting that without these elements, “I don’t have the slightest chance of finding Christ.”

The Hong Kong cardinal expressed concern about modern discussions of synodality, which he warns could undermine the Church’s apostolic foundation. He contrasted the Church’s hierarchical structure, rooted in the apostles and their successors, with what he calls “an ill-defined synodality, a ‘democracy of the baptized.’” 

Questioning whether all the baptized involved in synodal discussions are spiritually prepared or deeply rooted in Scripture and the sacramental life, he warned that such a shift “can change everything, the doctrine of faith or the discipline of moral life.”

>> CARDINAL ZEN ISSUES ANOTHER CRITIQUE OF SYNOD, CALLING FOR ‘SUCCESSFUL ENDING’ <<

Cardinal Zen also critiqued both secular and religious leaders who prioritize personal gain over the common good. Drawing from Scripture, he compared self-serving leaders to the shepherds described in Ezekiel, who exploit their flocks rather than care for them. He lamented that such behavior is particularly grievous when committed by the Church’s hierarchy, who have a unique responsibility to shepherd souls with integrity.

Amid his critiques, Cardinal Zen offered a hopeful vision for the Church, encouraging the faithful to trust in divine providence even in uncertain times. 

“Our Good Shepherd leads all the sheep into one fold,” the cardinal writes. Reminding the faithful of the mission to be “a light to the nations” and “an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth,” the cardinal urged all to remain steadfast in the faith.

Cardinal Zen encouraged Catholics to likewise maintain hope amidst present sufferings. “In the present situation, where so many things have been taken away from us,” he wrote, “the one thing that must not be taken away from us is precisely hope.” 

In his book Cardinal Zen also critiqued the Vatican document Fiducia Supplicans, which he says “immediately caused great surprise and later generated much confusion.” The outspoken cardinal had previously criticized the document and called for Cardinal Victor Fernandez, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, to resign over it for its errors.

The editor for Cardinal Zen’s new book, Aurelio Porfiri, described Cardinal Zen as a straightforward and exacting thinker whose message is especially relevant today. In an interview with journalist Samuele Pina, Porfiri noted that the cardinal’s insights provide much-needed clarity and guidance for Catholics navigating the confusion in the Church, saying, “Today we live in a time of great confusion and crisis of faith at multiple levels, so guides are needed to help us not to fall into error.”