Chinese church leaders respond to topics discussed at Vatican

Published: 2008-03-27

HONG KONG (CNS) -- Several Chinese bishops interviewed by an Asian church news agency expressed concern about the "government of dioceses," an item the Vatican said was recently discussed at a meeting of a special church commission on China. "I understand the importance of normal diocesan management," said Bishop Joseph Wei Jingyi of Qiqihar, in northeastern China. However, the bishop, who has refused to register with the Chinese government, told UCA News that restrictions on religious activities often make pastoral work inconvenient. Bishop Anthony Dang Mingyan of Xi'an cited religious formation as a key issue in how dioceses are run. He told UCA News that "each member of the church should be conscious of his or her responsibility and mission of spreading the Gospel." In 2006 his diocese established pastoral, economic and vocations committees, which he said "have operated on track and have eased my workload." Bishop Peter Feng Xinmao of Hengshui, in China's Hebei province, said he might form diocesan committees, as canon law allows, to enable young priests to jointly manage the church and boost formation and pastoral work.

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