Excommunicated Bishop Joins in China ordination

(December 01, 2011) The Vatican has welcomed Wednesday's Episcopal ordination in China, which it says took place with Papal approval. However it has also expressed dismay over the participation in the ceremony of a prelate not in communion with the Holy See. Vatican Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi said Wednesday evening that the “Holy See welcomes” the ordination of Mgr Peter Luo Xuegang as coadjutor bishop of Yibin diocese in south-western Sichuan province. However, Wednesday’s ceremony was also attended by the excommunicated Bishop Paul Lei Shiyin against the expressed wish of the Holy See, especially since it appears he participated as a consecrating bishop and co-celebrated the Eucharist. An official from the administrative office of Leshan's branch of the Catholic Patriotic Association, which runs China's churches, said Lei had participated in religious rituals. The Vatican insists that only the Pope has the right to choose bishops, while China sees this as interference in its internal affairs. Father Lombardi expressed appreciation that Luo had enjoyed the Pope's approval, following three recent ordinations in defiance of the Vatican. “Having a new prelate who is in communion with the Pope and with all the Catholic bishops of the world is certainly positive,” the Vatican spokesman said. Father Lombardi noted that in ordinary situations there would be church consequences for the other bishops who participated in the ceremony despite Lei's presence. “In the present circumstances, it is probable that these bishops were not able to impede him without grave repercussions on themselves,” he said.