A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Saturday denounced the recent report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom that names China as one of eleven “countries of particular concern”. Xinhua reports on the Ministry’s reaction. The Ministry says that China protects its citizens’ religious freedom, and that the USCIRF report encourages the practice of the Falungong "cult".
At the same time, China seems to be attempting to patch up its dispute with the Vatican. Reuters reports that the Vatican’s choice, Father Paul Pei Junmin, will be consecrated as a bishop in Shenyang on Sunday morning. Earlier this week, to the dismay of Pope Benedict XVI, China's Church appointed two bishops who had not been approved by the Vatican.
