U.S. lawmakers condemn China's 'coerced ordination' of priests

Published: 2006-06-14

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- U.S. lawmakers have passed a resolution condemning the Chinese government for interfering in the internal affairs of the Catholic Church in China. H.R. 804 criticized the actions of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association "in their coerced ordination of priests Joseph Ma Yinglin and Joseph Liu Xinhong" as bishops. Two other resolutions were passed by the House June 12, including one that condemned China's increased religious persecution. The other resolution urged remembrance of the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident. However, China's Foreign Ministry said in a press conference June 13 that the House resolutions were based on "groundless accusations" that interfered with China's internal affairs "under the pretext of religious affairs and human rights." In testimony before the House, Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., said: "Sometimes what is self-evident to civilized, democratic governments is sadly lost on the Chinese leadership in Beijing."

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