Letter to Congress Regarding Legislation on Ordinations in China, May 31, 2006

May 31, 2006

The Honorable Philip S. English
1410 Longworth House Office Building
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Mr. English,

I write to commend you for introducing House Resolution 804, “Condemning the unauthorized, inappropriate, and coerced ordination of Catholic bishops by the People’s Republic of China.” I am aware that a similar resolution in being introduced in the Senate by Senator Santorum. It is my hope that these expressions of concern by members of the United States Congress will cause the authorities in China to reconsider their unwise actions.

Enclosed is a letter on the illicit episcopal ordinations that I have sent to Mr. Stephen Hadley, the National Security Advisor. In it I reference your resolution and urge the Administration to “interpret to the Chinese authorities the counter-productive effect that the CPA’s interference in the internal life of the Catholic Church is having on improved relations between our two countries.”

With repeated thanks for your efforts in this matter, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Bishop Thomas G. Wenski
Bishop of Orlando
Chairman, Committee on International Policy

Enclosure: Letter to Stephen Hadley

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May 31, 2006

The Honorable Rick Santorum
511 Dirksen Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Santorum,

It is my understanding that you are introducing a Senate Resolution similar to H.Res. 804, introduced on May 9 by Mr. English and others, “Condemning the unauthorized, inappropriate, and coerced ordination of Catholic bishops by the People’s Republic of China.” I write to express my support for this generous measure. It is my hope that these expressions of concern by members of the United States Congress will cause the authorities in China to reconsider their unwise actions.

Enclosed is a letter on the illicit episcopal ordinations that I have sent to Mr. Stephen Hadley, the National Security Advisor. In it I reference the English resolution and urge the Administration to “interpret to the Chinese authorities the counter-productive effect that the CPA’s interference in the internal life of the Catholic Church is having on improved relations between our two countries.”

With appreciation for your efforts in this matter, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Bishop Thomas G. Wenski
Bishop of Orlando
Chairman, Committee on International Policy

Enclosure: Letter to Stephen Hadley

Letter-from-Bishop-Wenski-to-Rep-English-and-Sen-Santorum-2006-05-31.pdf