China: Bishop concelebrates Chrism Mass with Ordinary

By Vatican News

Until a few months ago, in the Diocese of Mindong, Guo Xijin was the Ordinary recognized by the Holy See, but not by the Chinese Government. In order to promote the unity of the Church, Rome recognized the so-called "official" Bishop, Vincent Zhan Silu, and entrusted Guo Xijin with the role of Auxiliary for the Diocese.

In recent weeks it had appeared the former Ordinary, now Auxiliary, could not concelebrate the Chrism Mass, which on Holy Thursday gathers priests around their Bishop for the blessing of the holy oils used during the year to administer the sacraments. Initial reports were that China’s Religious Affairs Office had not yet recognized Guo Xijin and that he would not be able to participate in the concelebration as Auxiliary Bishop.

An encouraging sign for Holy See-China dialogue

Instead, as the above image illustrates, the situation was resolved and the two Bishops, the Ordinary Vincent Zhan Silu, recognized by the Pope, and his Auxiliary Guo Xijin, were able to concelebrate the Chrism Mass together. This represents a positive and encouraging sign for the dialogue between the Holy See and the authorities of the People's Republic of China.

In an interview with Vatican News on 28 February last, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, spoke of the importance of implementing the Interim Agreement on the Appointment of Bishops in China, and beginning “to make it work in practice".