China has blocked a Hong Kong priest and rights activist from entering the mainland, believed to be the because of the row between the communist nation and the Vatican over illicit ordinations, according to Reuters and AFP reports in The West Australian.

Father Franco Mella, who recently took part in protests in Hong Kong against China’s ordinations without Vatican approval, said Chinese immigration officials did not give him any explanation for cancelling his Chinese visa when he presented himself at a checkpoint in China’s southern city of Shenzhen on July 19.

“Perhaps it was due to the ordination of the bishop of Shantou (in southern China). That was not recognized by the Vatican and the bishop was then excommunicated by the Vatican,” he told Reuters.

Fr Mella, who had intended to visit a church in central Henan province, said this was the first time in 20 years of living in Hong Kong that he had been denied entry into mainland China.

Milan-born Fr Mella, 62, is well known for helping refugees and campaigning for residency rights for mainland Chinese women married to Hong Kong men.

“They didn’t say anything. They kept me waiting for an hour, watching TV and then three of them came to show me my passport and the stamp on the visa showed it was canceled,” he said.

“When I asked them when I can apply to visit China again, they said they didn’t know,” he added.

FULL STORY

China bars HK activist priest as Vatican tension (The West Australian/Reuters)

Catholic priest says denied entry to China (The West Australian/AFP)

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