China's official media reported Friday that the state-controlled Catholic church plans to ordain at least seven more bishops, despite a deepening rift with the Vatican.

The China Daily newspaper cited the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association as saying local churches in seven dioceses were preparing to ordain bishops. The report did not indicate when the ordinations would take place.

Last week, Rome excommunicated Joseph Huang Bingzhang, saying the Chinese-ordained bishop had no authority to govern the Catholic community in the diocese located in southern Guangdong province.

China announced last month that it would ordain 40 bishops as soon as possible.