Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Bishop Du, born in 1963, a native of Inner Mongolia, was ordained a bishop in 2004 with the approval of the Holy See.
The civil authorities, despite having acknowledged his being chosen by the Catholic community, did not yet recognize him as a bishop. Thus, Bishop Du had never been able to speak or act in public as a bishop: he was not allowed to wear signs of his episcopal ministry (the barrette, pectoral cross) nor minister, nor was he allowed to confer priestly ordination.
For the installation ceremony, scheduled for 8 April, the Authority had decided to celebrate a solemn Mass in the Cathedral of Sanshenggong presided by Bishop Ma Yinglin, illegitimate bishop of Kunming, General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference of China, and Vice-President of the Patriotic Association.
Bishop Du categorically refused to have Bishop Ma preside over the Eucharistic celebration. "I am the Bishop of Bameng - I supposedly said – either I preside or I'll go and be a farmer for the rest of my life." After days of negotiations during which nobody could get in touch with the Prelate, the Authority agreed to have Bishop Du preside the Mass, without canceling the entire installation ceremony, as Bishop Du had requested.
About the participation of the illegitimate Bishop Ma as concelebrant, Bishop Du said openly that it was against his will. Before the celebration, presided over by Bishop Du, the document of the Conference of Bishops recognizing the Bishop of Bameng was read. Bishop Ma concelebrated sitting among the other priests with the vestments of a bishop.
In the homily, Bishop Du recalled his ties to the Holy See and thanked the Holy Father for having appointed him Bishop of Bameng. 24 priests were present, 27 religious sisters, and about 300 guests.
Mass was followed by lunch, after which the civil authorities and security services personnel left the area, ending the siege that had been imposed on the city, controlling even the Internet and telephones.
Those who received the testimony of Bishop Du by telephone heard him express his regret for not being able to prevent the illegitimate concelebration with Bishop Ma Yinglin.
Some Catholics of Bameng commented positively on what happened. "The courage of Bishop Du has been exemplary. We hope it will be followed by many other bishops. Given the fact that our Bishop is a discreet person of few words and shy, it is not difficult to see that it was the Holy Spirit that spoke in him."
The civil recognition of the Bishop of Bameng opens a greater possibility of pastoral work and evangelization. As Bishop Du himself said, he will now have a greater opportunity to devote himself to formation and evangelization. He may now also exercise his pastoral office normally and ordain priests, including (already towards the end of this month), some deacons who have completed their years' long studies and the period of preparation for the priesthood. (Agenzia Fides 15/04/2010)
