Hong Kong Catholics protest illicit Episcopal ordinations

(July 13, 2011) A group of Catholics in Hong Kong on Tuesday, staged a protest outside the Chinese central government’s office in Hong Kong, calling for a cancelation of illicit ordinations. They also demanded a halt to forcing Chinese bishops to attend such events. The protest, organized by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, urged Chinese authorities to stop the repeated illicit ordinations of bishops, saying such acts are greatly disrespectful to the Church and have caused internal divisions and suffering to the Church.
The Chinese authorities have ignored the Holy See’s declaration of July 4 on the illicit ordination in Leshan and planned another one in Shantou diocese for Fr. Huang Bingzhang on Thursday. Hong Kong Catholics said that Chinese authorities even pressured legitimate bishops, forcing them to join the event, thus seriously violating their freedom of religious belief. Citing China’s Constitution, which stipulates that Chinese citizens have freedom of religious belief, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which upholds the right to freedom of religious belief, Hong Kong Catholics urged Chinese authorities to respect their citizens’ freedom of religion and stop forcing the clergy to do what is against the principles of their faith and conscience.
Lastly, Hong Kong’s Catholics also called for the release of all members of the clergy who have been unfairly arrested. They hope the Chinese government will engage in dialogue with the Vatican in good faith and openness, in order to allow local Churches perform their normal activities.