Relations between the Vatican and China were close to rupture today after the Pope denounced the recent ordination of bishops by China’s state-approved Catholic church as "despicable acts of coercion".

Hopes had risen in recent months of a rapprochement between the Vatican and Beijing after over half a century without diplomatic relations. It had been thought the Vatican might choose to play down the ordinations, which took place Sunday and yesterday without Vatican approval.

Today, however, the Vatican broke its silence angrily describing the ordinations as "a grave violation of religious freedom" and warning the Chinese authorities not to make any further such moves.

"The Holy Father learned of the news with deep displeasure" said the statement, issued by Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the papal spokesman. "It is a great wound to the unity of the church."

Gerard O’Connell, an expert on Vatican ties with Asia, said this was "an exceptionally strong statement. There is no doubt it came from the Pope himself."

The statement said the Vatican had indications that "bishops and priests have been subjected to strong pressures and threats to take part in ordinations which because they were not approved by the Vatican are illegitimate and go against their conscience."

It added that the Holy See "had thought and hoped that such despicable events belonged to the past." Yesterday the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association ordained Liu Xinhong as bishop in the city of Wuhu in the eastern province of Anhui. Last Sunday it ordained Ma Yinglin as bishop in the southwestern province of Yunnan.

China broke off relations with the Vatican two years after the Communists took control of China in 1949. It established the Patriotic Catholic Association to run government-controlled churches, and persecuted the millions in the underground church who remained loyal to the Pope in Rome.

Dr Navarro-Valls said: "The Holy See has on various occasions reiterated its willingness to have an honest and constructive dialogue with the competent Chinese authorities to find solutions that would satisfy the legitimate requirements of both sides". The ordination of bishops by China, far from favouring this dialogue, "creates new obstacles against it" he said.

He expressed alarm at reports that as many as twenty further bishops might be ordained without Vatican approval, and stressed "the need for respect for freedom of the church and for the autonomy of its institutions from any external interference."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry insisted the episcopal appointments had followed "democratic processes" and fully respected "the wishes of a majority of worshippers.....Therefore the Vatican’s condemnation makes no sense". It added: "We hold a sincere attitude towards improving Sino-Vatican relations and hope the Vatican side can support a good environment for improvement of the relationship".

Until the latest row there had been signs the Vatican was willing to break off diplomatic relations with Taiwan and re-establish ties with Beijing, provided China guaranteed religious freedom and allowed the Pope to approve the appointment of bishops. It is one of 25 states that recognise Taiwan.

Cardinal Joseph Zen, the Bishop of Hong Kong and a long standing critic of Beijing, accused the "Patriotic Association" of "trying to derail the dialogue between Beijing and the Vatican. The dialogue cannot continue, because people will think we are prepared to surrender," Cardinal Zen said.

He told the South China Morning Post "We cannot budge. When you brutally carry out such a fait accompli, how can you call this dialogue?" According to China’s authorities the state-sanctioned church has about four million members, while the Vatican says the underground pro-Rome Catholic Church numbers over twice as many, with some ten million members.

The bishops who presided over the new consecrations face possible excommunication unless Pope Benedict decides they were forced to participate against their will. Liu Bainian , head of the "Patriotic Association" said over forty Chinese dioceses were without a bishop, "and we cannot wait until China-Vatican ties improve. We need bishops to evangelise. It’s a heavenly calling........ We bow to our faith, not to politics."

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