The choice of Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan is seen as a commitment to the 2018 pact aimed at improving Catholic relations in China.
Pope Prolongs Vatican-Beijing Accord with New Chinese Bishop Appointment
Pope Prolongs Vatican-Beijing Accord with New Chinese Bishop Appointment
Pope Leo XIV's latest appointment of a Chinese bishop highlights ongoing dialogue between the Vatican and China.
The Vatican has made a significant stride in its relationship with China through the recent appointment of Fuzhou Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan—the first bishop added by Pope Leo XIV during his papacy. This move underscores the continuation of a historic agreement first established under the late Pope Francis in 2018 aimed at mending ties between the Vatican and the Chinese government.
This accord grants Chinese officials an influential role in the selection of bishops, although its specific terms have not been fully disclosed. Chinese state policy requires government approval for bishop appointments, a practice that stands in opposition to the Catholic Church's jurisdictional claims regarding these ecclesiastical decisions. In China, home to approximately 10 million Catholics, congregants find themselves in a dilemma: they must choose between officially sanctioned churches or clandestine services aligned with the Vatican.
On Wednesday, the Vatican announced that Bishop Yuntuan's ministry had gained recognition under Chinese law. "This event constitutes a further fruit of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese Authorities and is an important step in the journey of communion of the Diocese," the Vatican stated.
In a statement that accompanied news of the appointment, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, emphasized that this development reflects the successful execution of the 2018 agreement, according to state media reports. He expressed China’s intention to collaborate with the Vatican to further improve diplomatic relations. According to Michel Chambon, an Asia Research Institute fellow, this appointment demonstrates the Pope's preference for reconciliation over discord.
Historically, tensions between the Vatican and China have deep roots, dating back to China's severance of diplomatic relations with the Holy See in 1951. Many Catholic worshippers were pushed underground during the repressive era of Mao Zedong, only resurfacing in the 1980s when a certain degree of religious tolerance was reinstated. The complexity surrounding the Vatican-China relationship highlights the ongoing challenges and achievements of both parties in the wake of the controversial accord.
This accord grants Chinese officials an influential role in the selection of bishops, although its specific terms have not been fully disclosed. Chinese state policy requires government approval for bishop appointments, a practice that stands in opposition to the Catholic Church's jurisdictional claims regarding these ecclesiastical decisions. In China, home to approximately 10 million Catholics, congregants find themselves in a dilemma: they must choose between officially sanctioned churches or clandestine services aligned with the Vatican.
On Wednesday, the Vatican announced that Bishop Yuntuan's ministry had gained recognition under Chinese law. "This event constitutes a further fruit of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese Authorities and is an important step in the journey of communion of the Diocese," the Vatican stated.
In a statement that accompanied news of the appointment, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, emphasized that this development reflects the successful execution of the 2018 agreement, according to state media reports. He expressed China’s intention to collaborate with the Vatican to further improve diplomatic relations. According to Michel Chambon, an Asia Research Institute fellow, this appointment demonstrates the Pope's preference for reconciliation over discord.
Historically, tensions between the Vatican and China have deep roots, dating back to China's severance of diplomatic relations with the Holy See in 1951. Many Catholic worshippers were pushed underground during the repressive era of Mao Zedong, only resurfacing in the 1980s when a certain degree of religious tolerance was reinstated. The complexity surrounding the Vatican-China relationship highlights the ongoing challenges and achievements of both parties in the wake of the controversial accord.
