The installation of Coadjutor Bishop Francis An Shuxin as the bishop of Baoding’s ’open’ Church community has continued to provoke intense debate.

Since his installation on Aug. 7, questions have been raised on Chinese Catholic websites over what the status of the former ‘underground’ coadjutor will be, with the concurrent presence of Bishop James Su Zhimin (alias Zhemin) of Baoding who is under detention.

Some have also questioned how the Holy See’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples advised Bishop An on the issue, if the Vatican knew the actions of the bishop well, as it had stated in a letter in 2008.

“How can unity in Baoding be possible if the Congregation remains silent on the issue?” asked one poster, while another one said, “it’s time for the Holy See to rethink its policy, otherwise another farce will get on stage.”

A canonist who preferred to remain anonymous told ucanews.com that an installation ceremony is not restricted to bishops only.

“Even a priest can have an installation when he is transferred to a new parish,” he said. “So Bishop An’s installation does not mean there is any change to his status, if he understands his own situation.”

Meanwhile, some commentators on Church affairs in China predict that Bishop An could face more difficulties than other underground bishops who were installed in the ’open’ Church before him.

“The installation is a good thing for the government, but it’s premature to say if it’s good for the Church,” said Kwun Ping-hung, a Hong Kong based observer. “The government hopes to manage the underground-dominated Baoding Church through Bishop An’s leadership. But achieving reconciliation in the way Rome would like to see it will be difficult.”

“Even the letter from Cardinal Bertone, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, to Bishop An last February only brought some of the underground priests back to his side. So there is still no unity,” Kwun said. “Since the case has become a concern among Catholics, the Holy See should make its position clear, in order to be accountable to Bishop Su, to the Baoding Church and the China Church,” he added.

However, clergy from the ’open’ community and other observers say that Bishop An made the right move by associating with the government.

“I believe the Vatican has compromised with the government on this case,” said Ren Yanli, a retired resaearcher based in Beijing. “This is what is needed for the ultimate good of the Church in China, though it will take time for Bishop An to change the underground community’s mentality.”

Related reports
Bishop Francis An Shuxin openly installed
Baoding bishop explains departure from ‘underground’ Church
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