Vatican City, Nov 29, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Earlier this morning, Vatican Press Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls expressed the Holy See’s “firm condemnation” of reported violence against groups of priests and religious in China.
He said that over the last few days, “news agencies have reported two disconcerting events carried out against, respectively, the Franciscan Sisters in Xi'an and six priests in the diocese of Zhengding.”
"These news items,” he continued, “though it is not possible to verify the exact details of their circumstances, provoke pain and disapproval.”
The Press director said that "the violence practiced in Xi'an against a number of defenseless nuns cannot but be firmly condemned” and added that “the detention of six priests of Zhengding, like the earlier detentions of priests in other localities, is also a cause for grave concern.”
Along with the Holy See’s stern condemnation, Navarro-Valls said that “As on earlier occasions, the reasons for the coercive measures inflicted upon [the priests] are unknown."
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA