WUHAN (AsiaNews): Bishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing, was elected to head the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association [CCPA] at t he 10th National Assembly of Chinese Catholic Representatives, which concluded in Wuhan on August 20. Bishop Joseph Shen Bin of Haimen, is to lead the Council of Chinese Bishops. He was previously the council’s vice president.
The 52-year-old Bishop Li was ordained a bishop in September 2007 with the consent of the Holy See.
Bishop Shen, who is also 52, presented a report on Church activity in China over the past six years without referencing to the Agreement with the Holy See. He also gave the concluding speech.
Appointments also included a new “Supervision Committee of the two supreme orgnaisms” to be headed by Bishop Vincent Zhan Silu of Funing whose members are most directly linked to the Chinese government authorities.
Fifty-seven-year-old Bishop Joseph Ma Yinglin of Kunming who has long been the best-known face of the CCPA, and outgoing president of the association, Bishop John Fang Xingyao of Linyi, have been made honorary presidents.
The official communiqué, published on the CCPA website following the conclusion of the assembly, reported that delegates discussed “the great project of transmitting the pastoral spirit, honouring the Lord and benefiting the people” and “looked at the cause of patriotism and the brilliant prospects of deepening the Sinicisation of Catholicism in our country,” with the intention of “looking ahead,” seeking “truth and pragmatism.”
