The maxim is “Qui tacet consentit”: the maxim of the law is “Silence gives consent”. If therefore you wish to construe what my silence betokened, you must construe that I consented.
Sir Thomas More, A Man For All Seasons screenplay
The silence of the Pope in regard to China continues:
The godfather of an arrested Hong Kong Catholic entrepreneur and pro-democracy advocate says he hopes Jimmy Lai’s courageous example will inspire more calls for justice amid an ongoing crackdown on human rights in Hong Kong.
“[Jimmy’s] faith isn’t based on the idea that he won’t suffer, or there’ll be a happy solution,” said Bill McGurn, a longtime member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board, during an Aug. 18 interview with CNA.
“He’s moved from billionaire to dissident and he’s shown he’s willing to pay the price. It’s the most moving thing I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s just extraordinary to me.”
A band of nearly 200 police officers arrested Jimmy Lai on Aug. 10, along with at least nine others connected with the Apple Daily newspaper, as part of an apparent crackdown on civil liberties in the island territory. They also raided the newspapers’ offices.
Those arrested are expected to be charged with colluding with foreign forces. Apple Daily, the newspaper that Lai founded in 1995 has distinguished itself over the years as a publication critical of the Chinese government in Beijing, and strongly pro-democracy.
On July 1, a controversial National Security Law went into effect in Hong Kong, having been imposed on the territory by Beijing, bypassing the Hong Kong legislature.
Under the new law, a person who is convicted of secession, subversion, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces will receive a minimum of 10 years in prison, with the possibility of a life sentence.
Lai, a Catholic, is currently out on bail. McGurn said he thinks it is very likely that Lai will ultimately go to prison, and he thinks China will want to make an example of Lai— a prominent figure being marched out in handcuffs— in order to frighten people into compliance.
Go here to read the rest. The silence of the Pope in regard to China speaks volumes. Compare and contrast:
US President Trump has said arrested pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai is "a brave man" on Wednesday. On the same day, the US ended three bilateral accords with Hong Kong, including its extradition agreement. Full story: https://t.co/ZeOmML2wT4 pic.twitter.com/z8XrbaPdtr
— Hong Kong Free Press HKFP (@hkfp) August 20, 2020
When a Pope could learn a lesson in basic morality from a twice divorced President, you know the Church is in perilous times.
Who is our Jimmy Lai? Mark Zuckerberg? Not likely. I vote for Elon Musk who is a stand-up guy.
It all started with the sellout of the Cuban dissidents.
It wouldn’t speak volumes if he were a man who spoke sparingly and chose his words with care. He runs his mouth in a most undisciplined fashion, just never on the side of prudence or justice.