Chinese diocese schedules bishop's ordination without papal approval

Published: 2006-11-28

HONG KONG (CNS) -- Xuzhou Diocese in eastern China has apparently scheduled the ordination of a bishop without papal mandate for Nov. 30. If the ceremony takes place, this would bring to three the number of illicit bishops ordained this year. Various sources told UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand, that Father John Wang Renlei, diocesan vicar general, would probably be ordained a bishop on the feast of St. Andrew at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Xuzhou city, Jiangsu province. A local source told UCA News Nov. 27 that the ordination was announced Nov. 26 during Mass at the cathedral. Catholics were asked to register for places, because the church can hold only 500 people, he said, adding that booklets for the ceremonial rites have been prepared.

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