UCA News
Contribute

China postpones illicit bishop ordination

Candidate says he 'was informed' about the cancellation but did not know the reason
China postpones illicit bishop ordination
Father Joseph Shen Guo
Published: June 07, 2011 11:32 AM GMT
Updated: June 08, 2011 04:53 AM GMT

The ordination for the bishop in Wuhan (Hankou) diocese has been postponed. The ordination, without papal mandate, was originally scheduled for Thursday. Father Joseph Shen Guo’an, the episcopal candidate, said today that he “was informed” about the cancellation but did not know the reason for it being postponed. He said he does not know when it will be rescheduled either. The news of the postponement began to spread on Friday. Bishops in the neighboring provinces confirmed that government officials informed them that afternoon but did not specify the reason. Despite the postponement, a Church-in-China observer pointed out that this does not imply that “self-ordination” of the government-sanctioned “open” Church has come to an end. Another observer, however, sees the postponement as a positive sign for both China and the Vatican. “It is a good thing to handle this case in a prudent manner to avoid violating Church rules,” said Anthony Lam Sui-ki, senior researcher at Hong Kong diocese’s Holy Spirit Study Centre. The China Church should wait for the Holy See’s comprehensive consultation to find a suitable candidate, he said. Commenting on the phenomenon that some mainland priests are eager to become bishops, Lam said, “We will trust the conventional wisdom of the Church that these priests are unsuitable to become bishops.” “The Holy See will choose priests who are humble and tolerant because these virtues mean they are willing to be committed to the Church, not to their personal interests,” he said.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia