Pope ordains new bishops, including Chinese

The elevation of Monsignor Savio Hon Tai—Fai, a 60—year—old Salesian prelate from Hong Kong, comes as relations between the Holy See and Beijing have hit a low point over the Chinese state—backed church’s ordination of bishops without papal con

Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful during a weekly general audience at the Vatican. File photo: AP.

Pope Benedict XVI is ordaining five new bishops, including a Chinese prelate who is the No. 2 in the Vatican’s missionary office.

The elevation of Monsignor Savio Hon Tai—Fai, a 60—year—old Salesian prelate from Hong Kong, comes as relations between the Holy See and Beijing have hit a low point over the Chinese state—backed church’s ordination of bishops without papal consent.

Prelate Hon was recently named secretary in the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. He has said his high profile job shows the pope’s love for China.

Saturday’s Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica began with a reading in Chinese.