The policy still needs official Vatican approval.
They tried to repair that in Dallas by adopting such a national policy and seeking Vatican approval to make it binding.
The guidelines are subject to Vatican approval, which is expected, and would take effect one year later.
Vatican approval is required for transactions over $3.5 million.
As a historical pattern, Vatican approval seems to have followed general acceptance of a vision by well over a century in most cases.
In 2004 it became Australia's fifth basilica upon gaining Vatican approval.
Church leaders say they expect that the policy will be ratified by the bishops and then given Vatican approval.
The decision would be subject to Vatican approval.
The regulations, called norms, won Vatican approval last December.
The cardinal said the Chinese government had promised that it would not conduct any more ordinations without Vatican approval.