Chinese bishops' conference investigates elected bishop of Beijing

Published: 2007-07-20

HONG KONG (CNS) -- The government-sanctioned Bishops' Conference of the Catholic Church of China has begun its investigation of the elected bishop candidate for the Beijing Diocese. Beijing-born Father Joseph Li Shan, 42, received the most votes in the July 16 diocesan election for a candidate to succeed the late Bishop Michael Fu Tieshan of Beijing. Father Paul Sun Shang'en, who has been in charge of diocesan affairs since Bishop Fu died April 20, told the Asian church news agency UCA News July 19 that the diocese has reported the election result to the bishops' conference for its approval. When asked if the diocese would also apply to the Holy See, he responded that this would be difficult, because China and the Vatican have no official diplomatic relations. "That should be a matter for the bishops' conference," the priest said.

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