China reacts angrily to Vatican warning on illicit ordination
July 05, 2012
After the Vatican warned that Chinese prelates would be excommunicated if they participated in the illicit ordination of a bishop on July 6, the Beijing government condemned the statement from Rome as “barbaric and irrational.”
China’s Office of Religious Affairs angrily denounced the Vatican’s “outrageous” and “shocking” stand, and said that Chinese Catholics should not need approval from Rome.
The Congregation for Evangelization had warned: “If the Church in China is to be Catholic, episcopal ordinations that have no prior papal approval must not take place.” Chinese authorities plan to go ahead with the episcopal ordination of Father Joseph Yue Fusheng, a vice-president of the government-backed Patriotic Association, in Harbin on July 6.
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Further information:
- Beijing’s sermon: Vatican “barbarous and irrational” over Harbin ordination (AsiaNews)
- Vatican warns of excommunications if Chinese priest is ordained a bishop (CWN, 7/4)
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Posted by: Defender -
Jul. 05, 2012 6:57 PM ET USA
When is enough, enough? Through the years the Vatican has tread lightly with this communist government only to have them obtain more and more concessions until there are now few left. This government has never had the wish to do anything but continue its control over the populace - giving lip-synch to "relgion" because they ultimately control it. Meanwhile, those loyal to Rome continue to be swept up by their police and are thrown in jail or face re-education. Enough is enough!
