Zhen Yuan

Mgr Antony Xu Jiwei, 81, died of illness. He had entered the seminary in 1948 but was not ordained due to China’s "political events" until 1985. He spent several years in prison and hard labour. "The period of imprisonment has strengthened my faith,” Bishop Xu once said, “every day.” Since the diocese was founded, it has had only two bishops. Xu’s predecessor, Mgr Jou Hou-shan, was one of the first six Chinese bishops ordained by Pius XI.

The prelate, 89, has spent decades of his life re-education camps and restrictions because of his Catholic faith. His funeral will be held on 20 February in Guiyang, in Guizhou Province.

The vigil for the New Year begins this evening. The community of Taiyuan (Shanxi) braves the cold and a procession to bring Jesus among the people.

Mgr. Feng Xinmao, bishop of Hengshui replaces the illegitimate bishop Ma Yinglin. The seminarians went on strike for weeks to change the seminary management, which included a local Communist politician.

In commenting the Pope’s message for World Peace Day, Fr John from Shandong, urges everyone to commemorate the bishop of Yantai, who died in prison in 2004, ever faithful to the Church. Anyone who claims there is religious freedom in China should ask themselves how Mgr Gao and other prelates died in the Communist regime’s prisons.

In the snowbound northeast of the country some non-official priests will be in many churches for midnight mass, to be with the faithful. In Xiamen the story of the Nativity staged, to help many non-Catholics who come to Mass on Christmas better understand.

Bishop Wei Jingyi, bishop of Qiqihar, defines illicit ordinations as wounds in the body of the Church of Christ. Solidarity with the bishops forced against their will to participate in events organized by the Chinese government.

Ma Yinglin, an unlawfully ordained bishop, will head the Bishops’ Conference. Fang Xinyao, a bishop in communion with the Pope, will lead the Patriotic Association. Three unlawfully nominated bishops are in the new leadership. Catholics worry more ordinations without papal mandate will take place in the future. One priest thinks the government has deliberately caused chaos.

Many bishops in attendance were coerced into attending the meeting. Two bishops whose ordination is unlawful under Canon law are present. Participants praise the Communist Party for its respect for the religious freedom of Catholics. In Hong Kong, the Catholic Church’s Justice and Peace Commission stages a demonstration to protest the violation of religious freedom, calling for the release of jailed bishops and priests.

Hebei seminarians protest outside government offices. They want the appointment of a government official as a vice-rector rescinded. Their strike has already lasted more than two weeks.

The ceremony took place despite the strong protest of the Holy See. There had been no illegal ordinations since 2006. Among the eight bishops who participated there is also Mgr. Francis An Shuxin of Baoding, who last year had emerged from the underground church, causing many conflicts and disputes with the Vatican. The faithful are sad and angry.

Vice-President of the Patriotic Association ignores the Vatican veto. Many bishops are under pressure to take part in the ordination. Three prelates were seized. For the faithful of the diocese the new ordination against the wishes of the Holy See "is a time bomb." The new bishop is close to the government, but far from the local and universal Church.