Vatican Extends Agreement with Beijing on Bishop Appointments

In a significant move, the Vatican announced on Thursday that it has extended its agreement with Beijing regarding the appointment of bishops in China. This decision comes just weeks after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to the Vatican, during which he unsuccessfully sought to terminate the accord.

The renewed agreement, which will last for another two years, builds upon a historic pact established in 2018. This initial agreement aimed to resolve a decades-long conflict over the authority to appoint bishops in China, a matter that has raised concerns about religious liberties and human rights within the country.

The terms of the deal stipulate that China will formally acknowledge the pope’s authority over the Roman Catholic Church, granting him the final say in the selection of bishops within the nation. In return, the Vatican has recognized the legitimacy of bishops who were previously appointed by the Chinese government but had been excommunicated by the church.

While the Vatican has expressed a positive view of the initial implementation of the agreement, stating that it has facilitated effective communication and collaboration between the involved parties, many details remain confidential. This lack of transparency has drawn criticism from some observers and critics of Pope Francis.

“The Holy See considers the initial application of the Agreement — which is of great ecclesial and pastoral value — to have been positive, thanks to good communication and cooperation between the parties on the matters agreed upon,” the Vatican stated in its announcement. It further emphasized its intention to continue an open and constructive dialogue aimed at benefiting both the Catholic Church and the Chinese populace.

The extension of this agreement, along with the ongoing cooperation between the Vatican and Beijing, has led numerous Vatican analysts to speculate that this could be a pivotal step towards establishing formal diplomatic relations with China. Such a development could potentially result in the Vatican severing its long-standing ties with Taiwan.

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