Vatican City, Dec 21, 2016 / 08:34 am
After the recent unauthorized ordination of bishops in China, which falls just ahead of a major meeting for Chinese Catholic representatives, the Vatican has issued a statement reaffirming their position on the matter.
"Some journalists have asked for the Holy See's thoughts regarding both the recent episcopal ordinations in Chengdu and Xichang and the Ninth Assembly of Representatives of Chinese Catholics," a Dec. 19 communique from Vatican spokesman Greg Burke read.
With the latter set to take place in just a few days, Burke stressed that the Holy See's position on two events, "which involve aspects of doctrine and the discipline of the Church," have been "noted for some time."
In fact, the Vatican issued statement Nov. 7 stressing that rumored bishop ordinations taking place within the so-called "underground Church" in China had neither the authorization of the Holy See, nor had they been officially communicated.