The government-sanctioned Catholic Church in China has ordained Ma Yingling as bishop of Kunming despite strong Vatican objections. In response, the Chinese government has issued warnings to the Vatican to not interfere. A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry was quoted in a Hong Kong newspaper saying, "The Vatican mustn't interfere in China's internal affairs, including interfering in domestic matters in the name of religion."
In recent months, relations between the Vatican and the Chinese government seemed to have been improving, as evidenced by the appointment of Anthony Dang Mingyan as an auxiliary bishop of Xian; an appointment approved by the Vatican. The appointment of Ma, who has been a strong leader in the state-run church, would seem to signal a hardening of the Chinese government against the Vatican. VOMC spokesman, Glenn Penner said, "Governments have no right to interfere in the appointment of church leadership regardless of denomination. These actions by the Chinese government illustrate yet again the myth of genuine religious freedom in China. We call upon government and business leaders to seriously consider the ethics of partnering with a government that so blatantly violates basic human rights."
Pray that Christians in China will be free to worship and order their church affairs without government interference. Pray for church leaders in China who continue to serve the Lord despite growing opposition.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, click here.
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