The Chinese Catholic Bishops College (CCBC) and the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA) yesterday expressed their regret over the Vatican's naming of Chinese bishops who are unable to attend the synod in Rome.

"The act goes against the original good intention of the Pope and shows no respect for China's 5 million Catholics, bishops, the CCBC and CPCA, and also for the decision-making power of the two Chinese Catholic groups," said a spokesman for the CCBC and CPCA.

Upon learning the news that Pope Benedict XVI intended to invite Chinese bishops to attend the synod, the two Chinese Catholic groups had regarded it as the Pope's willingness to recognize China's 5 million Catholics and bishops, as well as the CCBC and CPCA, and an active gesture to create conditions for the promotion of normalization of relations between China and Vatican, the spokesman said.

"In view of the facts that China must prevent activities pursuing "Two Chinas" or "One China, one Taiwan" during the synod, and that some of the Chinese bishops invited find it hard to attend the synod on account of advanced age and poor health, we had asked the Chinese Government to deal with the matter through diplomatic channels," the spokesman said.

However, the Vatican still announced the list of Chinese bishops who are actually unable to attend the synod.

"The practice goes against the Pope's initial good intention. We regret it and can't understand it," said the spokesman, adding that "If the Holy See has deep sincerity to improve China-Vatican relations, we hope they take real actions, rather than put up new barriers."

Source: China Daily