Msgr. Guo Xijin: Persecution is Preferable to Joining the Patriotic Association

The underground bishop, recently recognized by the government as auxiliary bishop, withdrew his request. In it obedience to the laws of the country was accepted, but not membership of the PA. But the government does not want to publish it, making underground priests believe that they are obliged to join the body that proclaims the independence of the Church. In the Sino-Vatican agreement - also unpublished – membership of the PA is optional.

Rome (AsiaNews) - Msgr. Vincenzo Guo Xijin, auxiliary bishop of Mindong (Fujian), is willing to suffer persecution along with other underground priests, rather than join the Patriotic Association (PA) or force his priests to join. This has been confirmed to AsiaNews by diocesan sources who add that the situation was a "pilot project" for the implementation of the Sino-Vatican agreement.

Following the agreement and the lifting of the excommunication of the official bishop of the diocese, Msgr. Vincenzo Zhan Silu, at the request of Pope Francis, Msgr. Guo accepted to be demoted to auxiliary bishop to leave the ordinary see to Msgr. Zhan.

As Msgr. Guo was recognized only by the Holy See, the United Front and the religious affairs office made him sign a paper in which he would pledge obedience to the new bishop, but above all submission to the laws of the country and adherence to the principles of "independence" of the Church and the PA.

However, Bishop Guo signed a document in which he accepted obedience to the bishop, to the laws of the country, but neither to "independence" or the PA, whose principles are "irreconcilable with the Catholic faith" (Letter of Benedict XVI to Chinese Catholics, 2007). In this way he was recognized as a bishop and was able to celebrate the Chrism Mass in a public way last Holy Thursday.

1 posted on 06/19/2019 7:45:36 PM PDT by marshmallow

Father, take this servant of Yours under Your wings and protect him and all who stand for Your word. Through Jesus Christ Your only Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

2 posted on 06/19/2019 8:35:59 PM PDT by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)

Praying for these good and faithful servants this morning at Mass.

3 posted on 06/20/2019 5:03:34 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o ("Let us commend ourselves, and one another, and our whole life, unto Christ Our God.")

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