The Holy See took note "with surprise and regret" of the news of the
“installation ceremony” that took place on November 24, in Nanchang of
"His Exc. Msgr. Giovanni Peng Weizhao, Bishop of Yujiang (Jiangxi
Province) as ‘Auxiliary Bishop of Jiangxi’, a diocese not recognized by
the Holy See".
"This event", reads the statement of the Holy See released today,
November 26, "has not taken place in conformity with the spirit of
dialogue that exists between the Vatican parties and the Chinese parties
and what was stipulated in the Provisional Agreement on the Appointment
of Bishops of 22 September 2018.
Furthermore - the text of the
statement continues - "the civil recognition of Bishop Peng was
preceded, according to the news received, by prolonged and intense
pressure by the local Authorities".
The Holy See - the statement concludes - "hopes that similar episodes
will not be repeated, and awaits appropriate communications on the
matter from the Authorities and reaffirms its full willingness to
continue the respectful dialogue concerning all the issues of common
interest".