(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 27.11.2022).- On Saturday, November 26, the Holy See Press Office issued a press release expressing the surprised caused by the “investiture ceremony” of a Bishop in Nanchang, in the province of Jiangxi. The ceremony took place on November 24 and the Bishop in question is John Peng Weizhao. The problem arises from the fact that the diocese of Weizhao, for which he has been installed as Auxiliary Bishop, is not recognized by the Holy See.
The Vatican’s press release notes that “[t]his event did not happen in keeping with the existing spirit of dialogue between the Vatican and China, and what was stipulated in the Provisional Agreement on the Appointment of Bishops, on September 22, 2018.” Also revealed is that “the civil recognition of Bishop Peng was preceded by the long and strong pressure exerted by the local authorities.”
The press release ends saying that the “Holy See hopes that such episodes will not be repeated; it awaits the timely communications of the Authorities and reaffirms its full disposition to continue the respectful dialogue on all issues of common interest.”
Made public at the end of October 2022 was that China and the Holy See were renewing the Agreement for the appointment of Bishops. One month later, China has defaulted on that Agreement.
