Vatican Slams Chinese Interference

The Vatican said Thursday that the ordinations of bishops by China's state-approved Catholic church are a "grave violation of religious freedom" and hinder dialogue between the Vatican and Beijing.

A strongly worded statement by the Vatican spokesman said Pope Benedict XVI was deeply saddened at the news of the ordinations, which took place Sunday and Wednesday without Vatican approval.

It called on Chinese authorities to prevent any such moves in the future, and called for respect for freedom of the church and its autonomy from any interference.

"The Holy Father learned of the news with great sadness," said the statement by Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls. "It is a great wound to the unity of the church."

According to the statement, the Vatican received information indicating that "bishops and priests have been subjected - by institutions not related to the church - to strong pressures and threats, in order for them to take part in the ordinations that, because they were not approved by the Vatican, are illegitimate and go against their conscience."

"We are therefore faced with a great violation of religious freedom," said the statement.

On Wednesday, the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association ordained Liu Xinhong as bishop at the city of Wuhu's St. Joseph's Church in the eastern province of Anhui.

It was the second ordination in three days without the consent of the Vatican, which traditionally appoints its own bishops. On Sunday, China's official church ordained Ma Yinglin as a bishop in the southwestern province of Yunnan.