The consecration of the new auxiliary Bishop of Shanghai agreed upon by both the Holy See and the Chinese Communist government, had a very unexpected outcome.
Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin refused the imposition of hands of Bishop Zhan Silu, “official” bishop of Mindong affiliated with the anti-Christian dictatorship and not recognized by Rome. He also refused to receive Holy Communion from the hands of this illicitly ordained prelate.
In his homily, Bishop Thaddeus, who was a member of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, said: “It is not proper to hold any other position anymore, so, from this moment of consecration, I will no longer be a member of the Patriotic Association.” The congregation applauded the bishop and became emotional before his act of courage. But Bishop Thaddeus “disappeared” right after the ceremony. The regime claims he “went to rest because he suffered from physical and moral exhaustion” — an excuse that implies some form of psychological intimidation or even imprisonment.
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