Another illicit Episcopal ordination.

Hong Kong -- Two Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association bishops performed the illicit Episcopal ordination of Fr. John Wang Renlei in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Xuzhou, on November 30, 2006. The Patriotic Association regards itself as a national Catholic Church independent of the authority of the Pope. Chinese Catholics loyal to Rome form an underground Church and are subject to persecution of various types.

Some bishops of the "official" Church who had been ordained with Vatican approval still remain in China. Two of these were seized by personnel of the Religious Affairs Office, and forced to participate in the illicit ceremony, thus lending a kind of official legitimacy to it.

Cardinal Joseph Zen of Hong Kong has strongly condemned both the ordination and the authorities' methods. He regards it as a reneging of a government promise not to promote such events.

Ever diplomatic, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, while describing the event as one that "does not favour good relations with the Holy See," claimed that, "the dialogue with China has not been impaired" (Zeoit, Dec. 1 and 5, 2006).