On Saturday, a new bishop for Beijing will be ordained, and the burning question is – has the selection of Msgr. Joseph Li Shan, been approved by Rome? There’s been no public statement, and Adam Minter of Shanghai Scrap is taking that as a “yes.”

But I think the most important evidence in regard to Li’s relationship with the Vatican is the relative silence – compared to the three 2006 illicit ordinations. In those cases – and especially in advance of the Kuming and Wuhu ordinations – the Vatican made private and very public efforts to delay or halt the ordinations due to their illicit nature (these condemnations were covered in the media in advance of the ordinations). Notably, there has been no public condemnation of the upcoming ordination from the Vatican or its representatives; and that, to my mind, says quite a bit.]

More from Asia News – the usual mixed bag of Christian-related news that comes to us from China.

Mgr Joseph Li Shan, 43, is set to succeed  Michael Fu Tieshan, who died last April 20, one of the few official bishops who did not seek reconciliation with the Holy See. A deputy chairman in the CCPA his goal was to set up a Church that was separate from Rome.
Some Chinese Catholic sources told AsiaNews that Mgr Li, who was formally elected by the council of diocesan representatives and approved by the Council of Chinese Bishops, received the approval of the Holy See. Other sources stated that they were not aware of that. Still preparations are proceeding in a calm atmosphere
In recent days CCPA Deputy Chairman Anthony Liu Bainian said in a few interviews that he doubted the Vatican had approved the appointment.
Other Chinese Catholics noted however that Liu Bainian “represents no one” and “does not know on whose behalf he is talking”.
In recent years the CCPA and its deputy chairman have become lost sway in the Catholic community. Most official bishops are now in communion with the Holy See.

Even the latest Episcopal ordinations and appointments were done with Vatican approval despite Liu Bainian’s claims that he was responsible for them.
Liu Bainian has also come under criticism from inside his own organisation for using Church property to launch commercial and financial initiatives in favour of his family and in so doing  violated government rules.
For his part Mgr Li is well liked as a pastor. He was actively involved in the life of Saint Joseph Parish Church (Dong Tang) where he brought together many young people and catechumens.
On August 23 he moved to Nan Tang Cathedral, but has not been able to enter the quarters used by his predecessor, Archbishop Fu Tieshan, because they were seized by the CCPA.