The excommunicated bishop, Joseph Huang Bingzhang, was ordained without Papal approval, and according to The Telegraph, in the presence of four kidnapped bishops who 'witnessed' the ceremony.

The ordination has brought relations between the Vatican and China to a new low, with ucanews.com reporting Cardinal Joseph Zen now saying "it's war" between the Holy See and Beijing.

Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong, an outspoken critic of Beijing and at times of the Vatican's handling of issue with China, said on a visit to the United states that relations could only be improved in the long term through dialogue with China's communist party leadership.

"We hope that by this new confrontation the government is made aware of the problems and then may really come to a dialogue with the Holy See, then we may find some solution."

In a statement released by the Vatican, Fr Frederico Lombardi told reporters the Vatican is following these events "with sorrow and concern."

"Once again (Pope Benedict) deplores the manner in which the church in China is being treated."

"Reverend Huang had been asked on numerous occasions not to accept episcopal ordination," said Lombardi.

Beijing severed ties with the Holy See in 1951 after the Communist Party took power and set up its own church outside the pope's authority.

China's 8 million to 12 million Catholics are divided between the state-sanctioned church that names bishops without the Vatican's approval and an underground church wary of government ties.

Sources

• ucanews.com
• Irish Times
• The Telegraph
• CNA
• Image: The Telegraph

A priest and Church observer outside China who asked not to be named said the move was taken for the good of the Church and followed a stern warning by the Holy See in a statement issued on July 4.

This is the best way of handling an illegitimate ordination, as the Holy See did what it should do, the observer said, adding that he hoped the clear message will prompt the other bishop candidates who may also receive episcopal ordination without papal mandate to reconsider.

After thorough investigation and a clear warning to Father Lei, as well as informing the Chinese government, the Holy See has determined that Father Lei has violated canon law deliberately, the observer added.

A canonist who also declined to be named agreed that a declared excommunication was necessary. If illicit episcopal ordinations were to continue, the Catholic Church in China "would not be only with 'Chinese characteristics' but would become a state church established by the government."

It is clear to everyone "who the main actors are," the canonist said, as the bishops and the so-called bishops' conference are not free to act in such purely religious matters, the canonist said.

The Catholic bishops and priests are exposed to excessive coercion, with only a few daring to oppose the political pressure or even to challenge it.

Father Lei, a leading figure in the Sichuan "open" Church community for many years, helped the local Church to restore its properties and expand its social influence, the observer said; thus, some priests and parishioners tend to think they need such capable leaders for the good of the Church from a secular perspective.

Rumors are already circulating about another illicit ordination in Shantou diocese, southern Guangdong province, on July 14.

Sources

• ucanews.com
• ICN