November 24, 2010.  The Vatican expressed its disappointment with the actions of Chinese officials in their decree that the Reverend Joseph Guo Jincai will be ordained as a bishop without the consent of the Pope. Pope Benedict XVI has called this a “grave violation” of canon law and China's actions hampered the dialogue aimed at reconciliation between the two parties. 




The Vatican has stated that China's claim to lead the ecclesial community does not correspond to Catholic doctrine and offends the Church.

The Vatican has also accused the Chinese government of committing “grave violations of freedom of religion and conscience” by pressuring various bishops to attend the ceremony. 

The government of communist China forced local Catholics to end their allegiance to Rome in 1951.  Worship is only allowed in state run churches, although millions of Chinese remain loyal to Rome and belong to unofficial congregations of Roman Catholics. 

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