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Is this unusual?
No, but it is news worthy.
States are not allowed to create their own bishops any more than they're allowed to install their own popes. Not and remain Catholic, that is.
But it has happened before in history, which is why there are canon laws and penalties for these situations.
It's unusual in that it doesn't happen very often ... but when it (illicit ordination) does happen, excommunication is the usual result.
They were government appointed/approved bishops -- not the REAL Catholic Church is China. It is underground at this time.
In China
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Cardinal declares China has "one Church with two faces"
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125 Christian Meeting Halls in China Shut Down
Declaration by Cardinal Etchegaray on the Church in China
CHINA ARRESTS CHRISTIAN BLOGGER
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Authorities renew persecution of Catholics in China
Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong, China, offers Pontifical Solemn High Mass in the Tridentine rite
Monsignor Zhan Silu installs himself as bishop and condemns himself to isolation
Vatican official: Church in China seeks no privileges, only freedom
Vatican Excommunicates Four Chinese Bishops
China is trying to pre-emt vatican control of the Catholic church. Chinese officials see no difference between socialism and Christianity. For them - Catholic social teaching is pure socialism. China believes both are for the same common good and should be "OBEYED". The chinese are not able to understand the "Holy Spirit" and how the spirit is the basis for the Christian church - the body of Christ.
Chinese officials will selectively ignore Christ's own words that he didn't come to bring peace but the sword. The Chinese know that if they take the Church away from the west - they can control the world.