12/21/2012, 00.00
CHINA - VATICAN
Send to a friend

Wuhan Government gravely interferes in fate of priests and future bishop

by Jian Mei
Appointments and transfers of parish priests blocked. Forced resignation of Fr. Shen Guoan, administrator of the diocese. He had refused to be ordained bishop without papal mandate. It is feared that the government is preparing a new illicit episcopal ordination

Wuhan (AsiaNews) - Wuhan priests are suffering grave interference by government officials in their decision on the transfer of parish priests and in suspension of Father Shen Guo'an's duties as the head of diocese. This while the attention of Catholics and the entire world is focused on Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin, stripped of his title of Bishop of Shanghai.

According to information given to AsiaNews, 19 of 23 priests of Wuhan diocese decided at a retreat in late November that they would have a reshuffle of parish pastors, a practice that has not been implemented there for years. However, some priests received warnings of the transfer from religious officials, who also said the meeting was invalid and illegal.

On Nov. 30, Father Shen announced the priest transfer during a solemn Mass in the diocese that marked the beginning of the Year of Faith. Parish delegates and faithful at the Mass welcomed the transfer. Afterwards, priests were interrogated by government officials and warned of any changes.

Father Cui Qingqi, who was absent in the priests' meeting because of his studies in Beijing, was recalled by the authorities upon hearing his transfer. On Dec. 1 morning, he returned to Hankou but was seen to be with government officials before arriving at the diocese.

On Dec. 8, despite difficulties levied by officials, the priests in Wuhan resolutely implemented the transfer decision, by sending new appointment letters to all parish priests and letters of notification to government departments for their record.

On Dec. 13, 15 priests of the diocese were escorted by officials to attend a meeting called by religious officials. The priests were told that Fr Shen was dismissed from his duties as the head of the diocese, and Fr Shu Zigeng, secretary general of Provincial Patriotic Association and Church Affairs Commission, was also dismissed from his position.

Instead, a Church management committee, led by Father Cui, has been arranged to take over diocese matters. Members include Sister Wu Lin (vice president of national Patriotic Association), Fr Li Bangmeng, Fr Gao Leiqing, and Hu Guowei, Patriotic Association member.

Reacting to this case, researchers of Holy Spirit Study Centre in Hong Kong question why the freedom of religious belief as guaranteed in China's constitution is being so heavily interfered with; why the parish transfer of priests is not respected as an internal affair and normal practice in the Church.

The biggest fear is that the intrusion of the authorities in the appointment of parish priests and the resignation of Fr. Shen is a first step to bring the diocese of Wuhan in a state of excommunication and rupture[1].

 


[1] It should be noted that the government had designated Fr. Shen Guoan as bishop of Wuhan, but without the permission of the Holy See. The faithful and the same Fr. Shen had refused to participate in an illicit episcopal ordination. Perhaps his forced resignation is a revenge of the PA (see Chinese bishops should have no fear and say no to Beijing's demands, says Mgr Savio Hon, AsiaNews.it, 03/06/2011)

 

 

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Synod for the Amazon: Card Stella hails the ‘great beauty’ of celibacy in a priest’s life
24/10/2019 17:56
National Commission for Women asks for 'immediate action' in the nun rape case in Kerala
07/02/2019 17:28
New bishop of Yanzhou ordained with Holy See approval
20/05/2011
Chengde: illicit Episcopal ordination, the first in four years
19/11/2010
Bishop placed under house arrest for refusing to co-celebrate Mass with excommunicated bishop
08/04/2010


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”