Mgrs Jin of Shanghai and Li Duan of Xian may have health problems and Mgrs Li Jingfeng of Fengxiang and Wei Jingyi of Qiqihar may be excited about their appointment, but they are all waiting with trepidation what the Chinese government will do. "The nominations are a sign of friendship towards China".

Rome (AsiaNews) – The news that four Chinese bishops have been appointed to the Synod and invited by Pope Benedict XVI to come to Rome is spreading in China generating excitement but causing also some trepidation.

Members of both the official and the underground Church are rejoicing. The four appointees (three of whom are recognised by the government) are well-known and held in high regard for their faith and work.

Talking to AsiaNews on the phone, Mgr Jin Luxian, Bishop of Shanghai, said that these nominations "are a sign of the Vatican's friendship towards the Chinese government. I just hope the government will allow everyone to take part in the Synod."

Bishop Jin is known for his ties to China's political elite. He told AsiaNews that he never got the letter informing him of his appointment and invitation, just an e-mail message. "Be that as it may, it was a great honour for me and the entire Chinese Church," he said.

The 89-year-old bishop is very ill and does not know whether he can travel. "I am sick and very old. I ask you and your readers to pray for me," he said.

Speaking about the appointment of bishops belonging to both official and underground Church, the prelate stressed that  it was an important step for the Vatican. "I don't personally know Mgr Wei Jingyi, but I know Mgr Li Jingfeng very well and consdier him as a very good bishop."

Mgr Li Duan, Archbishop of Xian, is also concerned that his shaky health might prevent him from going to Rome. "We have not received any sign from the government," the 79-year-old cancer patient told AsiaNews. "This time, there is a chance we might make it, but it is very small."

The Archbishop agreed that many things are changing and there is a "greater opening", but some obstacle have not be removed.

His health problems aside, he is concerned that Mgr Wei Jingyi's, the only bishop not recognised by the government, might not get an exit visa.

"For Mgrs Jin and Li Jingfeng and myself, things are difficult, but for Mgr Wei, whom I don't personally know, they are even more difficult."

Of all the new appointees, Luke Li Jingfeng is the most excited. One of his parishioners, contacted by AsiaNews, said that when Mgr Li received the letter from the Vatican his first thought was that it "was some kind of joke". He made enquiries to check out the information and is now "very happy, even full of excitement."

Till last year he was not even recognised by the government—he registered with the authorities only recently without having to join the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA).

"My bishop," said the parishioner, "hopes to come to Rome. He knows the government might make things difficult for him, but trusts he can leave the country to visit the Pope."

If they wish to participate in the Synod, all the bishops must get a passport and then apply for an exit visa.

A priest from the diocese of Qiqihar told AsiaNews that Bishop Joseph Wei Jingyi "is packing his bags". Bishop Wei è is the only one of the four bishops who has not been recognised by the government and the one who is likely to face the most difficulties to get an exit visa.

He is currently waiting for his passport application to go through, but no one knows whether the authorities will allow him to travel to Rome.

Meanwhile, many Catholics in the diocese of Qiqihar are praying that it might happen. "Since things are changing in China," they said, "it could actually happen."

According to AsiaNews's Vatican sources, the Holy See has already informed the Chinese government of its invitation to the four bishops and is waiting for a reply.

Speaking from Beijing, CCPA chairman Liu Bainian said he had not been officially informed about it. "I've read the news on the internet, but we haven't received a formal invitation," Liu Bainian told Reuters. The Vatican has not "contacted either the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association or the Chinese Catholic Bishops Conference," he added.

According to Church watchers in China, the Vatican may have bypassed the CCPA—which is still full of ideologically Stalinist characters and leftovers from the Cultural Revolution—and gone straight to the government. 

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