In a notable move, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fuzhou Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan, marking the first appointment of a Chinese bishop during his papacy. This significant act indicates the Pope's intention to uphold a historic agreement originally established in 2018 between the Vatican and Beijing, aimed at fostering better relations. Both parties have acknowledged this appointment as a testament to their dedication to the terms of the accord, which permitted Chinese officials to have a role in selecting bishops, although the full details of the deal remain undisclosed.
China's government maintains that it must approve all bishop appointments, conflicting with the Catholic Church's authority to make such decisions. With an estimated 10 million Catholics in China, believers often choose between state-sanctioned churches or participating in clandestine congregations loyal to the Vatican. The Vatican has confirmed that Yuntuan's ministry has received legal recognition from Chinese authorities, calling this event a progression in the dialogue between the Holy See and China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian commented on Thursday that Yuntuan's appointment is evidence of the successful execution of the 2018 agreement, emphasizing China's readiness to collaborate with the Vatican for improving relations. Michel Chambon, a research fellow at the Asia Research Institute in Singapore, remarked that the Pope's actions reflect a commitment to fostering reconciliation rather than conflict.
The Vatican's ties with China have been fraught since diplomatic relations severed in 1951, which led to a significant underground Catholic presence during Mao Zedong's regime, only emerging in the 1980s with a resurgence of religious tolerance. The pact includes previous recognitions of bishops appointed by Chinese authorities, signaling a cautious yet pivotal approach towards shared religious governance.
China's government maintains that it must approve all bishop appointments, conflicting with the Catholic Church's authority to make such decisions. With an estimated 10 million Catholics in China, believers often choose between state-sanctioned churches or participating in clandestine congregations loyal to the Vatican. The Vatican has confirmed that Yuntuan's ministry has received legal recognition from Chinese authorities, calling this event a progression in the dialogue between the Holy See and China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian commented on Thursday that Yuntuan's appointment is evidence of the successful execution of the 2018 agreement, emphasizing China's readiness to collaborate with the Vatican for improving relations. Michel Chambon, a research fellow at the Asia Research Institute in Singapore, remarked that the Pope's actions reflect a commitment to fostering reconciliation rather than conflict.
The Vatican's ties with China have been fraught since diplomatic relations severed in 1951, which led to a significant underground Catholic presence during Mao Zedong's regime, only emerging in the 1980s with a resurgence of religious tolerance. The pact includes previous recognitions of bishops appointed by Chinese authorities, signaling a cautious yet pivotal approach towards shared religious governance.
