Vatican voices concern over illicit ordinations in China
Fr Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See press office issued the following statement
Thursday regaridng news that some bishops, who are in communion with the Pope, are
being forced to attend an illicit ordination: "The Holy See is disturbed by reports
from Mainland China alleging that a number of bishops in communion with the Pope are
being forced by government officials to attend an illicit episcopal ordination in
Chengde, northeastern Hebei, said to be scheduled around November 20.
If these
reports are true, then the Holy See would consider such actions as grave violations
of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience.
It would also consider such
an ordination as illicit and damaging to the constructive relations that have been
developing in recent times between the People's Republic of China and the Holy See.
Moreover,
the Holy See confirms that Fr Joseph Guo Jincai has not received the approval of the
Holy Father to be ordained as a bishop of the Catholic Church.The Holy See, keen to
develop positive relations with China, has contacted the Chinese authorities on this
whole matter and has made its own position clear."