In a landmark move, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fuzhou Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan as the first Chinese bishop of his pontificate, underlining a continuation of the important 2018 accord between the Vatican and China. Made during the tenure of the late Pope Francis, this agreement represented a notable attempt to enhance relations between the Catholic Church and the Chinese government.
The deal granted Chinese authorities some influence over the selection of bishops, a point that remains contentious given the Church's traditional belief that such appointments should solely be determined by the papacy. With approximately 10 million Catholics in China, the faithful currently choose between state-sanctioned churches—approved by Beijing—or underground congregations aligned with the Vatican.
A statement from the Vatican revealed that Bishop Yuntuan's ministry is “recognized” by Chinese law, emphasizing this integration as a milestone in the evolving relationship between the Holy See and the Chinese state. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, praised the appointment, suggesting that it indicates the smooth implementation of the 2018 agreement.
This appointment reflects a promising willingness for cooperation, according to experts. Michel Chambon, a research fellow at the Asia Research Institute in Singapore, remarked this demonstrates a preference toward reconciliation rather than conflict.
The Vatican recognized seven bishops chosen by China back in September 2018, with the last recognition occurring posthumously for a bishop who passed away in the prior year. Diplomatic ties between China and the Holy See were severed in 1951, leading to a forced underground existence for many Catholics under Mao Zedong’s regime, until a renaissance of religious tolerance began in the 1980s.
