An episcopal ordination scheduled in China has Vatican approval

(Nov. 30, 2011) An episcopal ordination scheduled for Wednesday in China has the Vatican's approval, said the director of the Vatican press office. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi released a statement affirming that the episcopal ordination of Luo Xuegang in the Diocese of Yibin has the Vatican's backing. Father Lombardi said he saw news of the ordination in the media. He added his hopes that if the ordination takes place, "the norms of the Catholic Church will be respected, namely that the faithful are informed about the approval of the candidate by the Holy See, and that no illegitimate bishop participates in the liturgical ceremony." "If the norms are respected," Father Lombardi said, "the event would be an encouragement for the Catholic community."