Rome, Italy, Jul 14, 2011 / 09:54 am
The Vatican has responded with dismay to the news that China has ordained another Catholic bishop without papal approval.
“This is not good news. The position of the Holy See on this matter has been made clear in recent months. These ordinations are very negative for the unity of the Church,” said Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi S.J. to CNA July 14.
His comments come only hours after the illicit ordination of Fr. Joseph Huang Bingzhang as bishop of Shantou in China’s southern Guangdong province.
According to UCA News, the ceremony took place in Shantou City’s St. Joseph’s Cathedral before an estimated congregation of 1,000. Bishop Johan Fang Xingyao of Linyin, the president of the government-backed Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, was the main celebrant.