Vatican denounces Chinese plan for illicit ordination of bishop
November 18, 2010
The Vatican has registered a strong objection to plans by Chinese official for the ordination of a Catholic bishop without the Pope’s approval.
Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, said in a prepared statement that the episcopal ordination of Father Joseph Guo Jincai, scheduled to take place on November 20, would be “illicit and damaging to the constructive relations that have been developing” between China and the Holy See.
The Vatican spokesman confirmed that “Father Joseph Guo Jincai has not received the approval of the Holy Father to be ordained as a bishop of the Catholic Church.” The Vatican has contacted Chinese authorities to register their objection, he said.
In his statement Father Lombardi also commented on reports that some Chinese Catholic bishops have been under heavy pressure from government officials to attend the illicit ordination. “If these reports are true,” he said, “then the Holy See would consider such actions as grave violations of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience.”
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Further information:
- Fr. Lombardi Replies to Question about Chinese Ordination (VIS)
- Holy See against an illicit Episcopal ordination and violence against bishops (AsiaNews)
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Posted by: Defender -
Nov. 19, 2010 12:37 AM ET USA
This is what often happens with the PRC government. It was only a matter of time until something like this happened - the odds are that it will only continue. You have to remember this government still sends people to re-education camps and signs numerous treaties, etc, with no intention of fully living up to what they signed up to do.
