Holy See: 'No Episcopal ordinations have been authorised in China'

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Greg Burke, today clarified that the Vatican has not authorised any episcopal ordinations in Continental China.

"Should such episcopal ordinations have occurred, they would constitute a grave violation of canonical norms," Burke said in a statement.

He reiterated: "it is not licit to proceed with any episcopal ordination without the necessary Papal Mandate, even by appealing to particular personal beliefs."

The declaration of the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Greg Burke, concerning the purported episcopal ordinations without the Pontifical Mandate in Continental China follows:

"In recent weeks, there has been a series of reports regarding some episcopal ordinations conferred without Papal Mandate of priests of the unofficial community of the Catholic Church in Continental China. The Holy See has not authorised any ordination, nor has it been officially informed of such events. Should such episcopal ordinations have occurred, they would constitute a grave violation of canonical norms. The Holy See hopes that such reports are baseless. If not, it will have to await reliable information and sure documentation before adequately evaluating the cases. However, it is reiterated that it is not licit to proceed with any episcopal ordination without the necessary Papal Mandate, even by appealing to particular personal beliefs."

7 November 2016

Source: Holy See Press Office