The Vatican has, for the first time, issued a stern, public warning to all bishops on the mainland, asking them not to take part in an upcoming national Catholic conference to be organised by Beijing. The Vatican considers the conference a breach of Catholic doctrine.
Following a meeting of the papal commission on China affairs this week, it also expressed the hope that the mainland authorities would recognise the role of bishops in leading the church, rather than the current control by the central government through the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.
The strong messages represent a surprise demonstration of resolve by the Holy See, which has previously been criticised for being too willing to compromise with Beijing.
At the end of its three-day annual plenary session, the commission, which counts bishops from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan as members in addition to top Vatican officials handling China affairs, issued a statement saying that 'all bishops in China' should stand firm on church principles.
In particular, it said, they should avoid 'gestures (such as, for example, sacramental celebrations, episcopal ordinations and participation in meetings) that run counter to communion with the Pope who appointed them pastors', which would only create difficulties, 'sometimes severe difficulties', in church communities.
Beijing is planning to organise a national conference for Catholics, which will elect the next leadership of the patriotic association, and the bishops' conference - bodies whose constitutions are considered by the Vatican to be incompatible with Catholic doctrine.
Despite previous private messages to mainland bishops urging them to avoid participating in the national conference, to be held later this year, some bishops and episcopal candidates awaiting approval by either the Vatican or Beijing attended a preparatory meeting last year.
