Chinese bishop resigns before renewal of Beijing-Vatican deal
- Vincenzo Guo steps down from auxiliary post in Fujian province to avoid becoming ‘obstacle to progress’
- Clergyman says he can no longer keep pace with changing times
Vincenzo Guo Xijin announced his resignation as auxiliary bishop at an evening mass in the eastern province of Fujian on Sunday, saying he did not want to become an “obstacle to progress” hindering the reconciliation of the underground and official Catholic churches.
Before Beijing and the Vatican reached an agreement on the appointment of bishops in China in September 2018, Guo was the bishop of the Mindong diocese.
Guo is recognised by the Vatican but not by China’s official Catholic church and as such, Guo was one of the leaders of the unofficial church.
But on instructions from the Holy See, Guo stepped aside to become an auxiliary bishop to allow Vincent Zhan Silu, a prelate recognised by Beijing, to become bishop.
Zhan had been excommunicated by the Holy See because he was consecrated without papal approval but the Pope reconciled with him when the agreement was signed in 2018.