The cardinal made the call in his article in the Jan. 4 issue of Kung Kao Po, the diocese's Chinese-language weekly. On Dec. 24, he had announced to local media that Pope Benedict XVI had agreed to let him retire in the first half of 2009, although the date of retirement has yet to be announced, and that he would focus on China Church affairs.
In his article, “Inspiration from St. Stephen’s Martyrdom,” the cardinal reviewed developments since 2006 and made an appeal to his “brothers in mainland China.”
“Don’t be afraid. Bear the responsibilities that history has placed upon you! In this critical moment, your choice could revive the Church or it could let her languish for a long time,” he told mainland bishops.
“You are held accountable to history and you must be prepared to stand firm without blemish before God’s judgment,” he continued.
