Statement of the Holy See on the Episcopal Ordination in the Diocese of Leshan
With regard to the episcopal ordination of the Rev. Paul Lei Shiyin, which took place
on Wednesday 29 June last and was conferred without the apostolic mandate, the following
is stated:
Rev. Lei Shiyin, ordained without the Papal mandate and hence illegitimately,
has no authority to govern the diocesan Catholic community, and the Holy See does
not recognise him as the Bishop of the Diocese of Leshan. The effects of the sanction
which he has incurred through violation of the norm of can. 1382 of the Code of Canon
Law remain in place. The same Rev. Lei Shiyin had been informed, for some time,
that he was unacceptable to the Holy See as an episcopal candidate for proven and
very grave reasons.
The consecrating Bishops have exposed themselves to the
grave canonical sanctions laid down by the law of the Church (in particular, canon
1382 of the Code of Canon Law; cf. Declaration of the Pontifical Council for Legislative
Texts of 6 June 2011).
An episcopal ordination without Papal mandate is directly
opposed to the spiritual role of the Supreme Pontiff and damages the unity of the
Church. The Leshan ordination was a unilateral act which sows division and unfortunately
produces rifts and tensions in the Catholic community in China. The survival and development
of the Church can only take place in union with him to whom the Church herself is
entrusted in the first place, and not without his consent as, however, occurred in
Leshan. If it is desired that the Church in China be Catholic, the Church’s doctrine
and discipline must be respected.
The Leshan episcopal ordination has deeply
saddened the Holy Father, who wishes to send to the beloved faithful in China a word
of encouragement and hope, inviting them to prayer and unity.