December 13, 2012. (Romereports.com) The Vatican expressed its concern with the situation involving
auxiliary bishop of Shanghai, Monsignor Ma Daquin. Altough his ordination in July was approved by China's Communist Party, the bishop announced soon after that he would withdraw from the state-sponsored Patriotic Catholic Association. Chinese authorities promptly
locked him up inside a monastery, and this week the Beijing government
stripped him of his title as bishop.
The Vatican's response was voiced by Chinese Bishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, the second in command at the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Hon Tai-Fai emphasized that only the Pope has the authority to name, sanction or remove the bishops' titles. Therefore, he explained, the Vatican does not recognize the decision from the Patriotic Catholic Association to strip Daquin of his title.
With firm support for him as the auxiliary bishop of Shanghai, the Vatican also highlighted Daquin's loyalty to the Church, and his sincere love for his homeland, China.
In light of the difficult situation Chinese Catholics face in the communist nation, Hon Tai-Fai called for the celebration of Masses on their behalf.
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