Holy See approval of ordination with papal mandate, dismay over presence of Lei Shiyin

The Holy See welcomes the fact that a bishop in communion with the Pope has been consecrated in China, but expresses "disappointment and dismay" at the presence of an excommunicated bishop who has "aggravated his canonical position."

This was reaction Wednesday evening of the director of the Vatican Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, responding to journalists' questions. 

"After three recent episcopal ordinations without papal mandate - said Father Lombardi - the fact of having a new bishop in communion with the Pope and all the Catholic bishops of the world is certainly positive. It will be appreciated not only by the Chinese bishops and faithful, but also by the universal Church. Instead, the participation of the illegitimate bishop, who - as is known - is in the canonical status of an excommunicated person, is not on the same line and gives rise to disagreement and confusion among the faithful, the more so because it appears that he took part as consecrating Bishop and concelebrated the Eucharist. His inveterate disobedience to the rules of the Church unfortunately aggravates his canonical position".

"In ordinary situations - he added - the presence of the Bishop Lei Shiyin should have been entirely excluded, and would entail canonical consequences for the other bishops attending. In this circumstance it is likely that they were unable to prevent it without great inconvenience. In any case, the Holy See will be able to better assess the question when it has received more extensive and in-depth information."