Vatican City, Jul 6, 2012 / 14:30 pm
The Vatican is considering its response following the illicit ordination of another bishop without Pope Benedict's approval.
Father Joseph Yue Fusheng, 48, was ordained as bishop of Harbin city on July 6, despite warnings from Rome that he faced automatic excommunication for doing so.
"This episcopal ordination of Harbin will create confusion and divisions among the Catholic community in China," the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples said in a July 3 note issued ahead of the ordination.
"If one wants the Church in China to be Catholic, one must not proceed with episcopal ordinations that do not have the prior approval of the Holy Father," the congregation said.