Both the Holy See and the Chinese government say there must be more bishops. The Chinese say they ordain new bishops on their own because they cannot wait for Vatican to finish their vetting. The Vatican says it must go alone because it alone is the guardian of the succession from the Apostles.
This article from CatholicCulture.org describes the latest development in this standoff:
Pope Benedict XVI renewed his challenge to China to respect religious freedom, as he presided on February 5 at the ordination of five new bishops.
All five of the new bishops consecrated by the Pontiff are Vatican officials. But Bishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, the Hong Kong native who now serves as secretary of the Congregation for Evangelization, drew the most widespread attention.
By personally ordaining a Chinese bishop, Pope Benedict was calling attention to the continuing despite between the Holy See and the Beijing regime, which claims the right to name its own Catholic bishops. During the February 5 ceremony, the Pope reiterated the argument that the Vatican has consistently put forward: that only the Holy See has the authority to name new bishops.
Read the rest of the article here: http://bit.ly/fISmoz
Men are born with two eyes but one tongue, in order that they should see twice as much as they say.
Posted by: 2010 Collection | 02/21/2011 at 01:18 AM