Vatican statement on China repeats: illicit ordination means excommunication
July 12, 2011
The Congregation for Evangelization has explained why the Vatican issued a public statement announcing the excommunication of Father Lei Shiyin after he was ordained as a bishop without Vatican approval.
The new Vatican statement—issued as Chinese officials prepare for another illicit ordination—makes it clear that even if the excommunication is eventually lifted, Lei Shiyin will not be authorized to act as a Catholic bishop.
The Vatican also reiterates that any bishops who participate in an illicit episcopal ordination are themselves excommunicated, unless they can demonstrate that they were acting under compulsion.
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