Two island Catholics active in local Catholic Chinese organizations have read Pope Benedict XVI’s letter to Catholics in China and like what he has to say.

Kristine Wong, a member of the Chinese Catholic Ministry which gathers at Star of the Sea Church in Waialae-Kahala, said she appreciated the pope’s “deep concern, love and care for the Chinese Catholic.”

“He thoroughly understands the situation and history of the Catholic Church in China both now and in the past, including the relationship between the Catholic Church and the government in China,” Wong said.

“He is willing to improve the situation and is open to the negotiation of building up a better relationship with the Chinese government while maintaining the foundation of the Catholic faith,” she said.

Chinese Catholic Club of Honolulu president Larry Lee agreed wholeheartedly with Pope Benedict.

“I just thought it was the most wonderful thing I had read,” he said, “and I’m glad that he is reaching out to the Chinese government.”

“My entire club is praying that he is successful,” he said. “We [as Catholics] just hope that this may be the turning point that we need to get in [to China].”

The club, which has existed for 82 years and meets monthly, has a quarterly newsletter. Lee says the next newsletter’s theme will be on Pope Benedict’s letter.

Hawaii’s newly ordained Father Paul Li, a native of China, was traveling back in his home country at the time of the papal letter’s release and was unavailable for comment.