China is “ready to work” with the Vatican to improve their relationships, after the appointment of a Chinese bishop

Beijing said, Thursday, June 12, “Ready to work” With the Vatican to improve their relationships, welcoming the first appointment as a bishop, since his election, of a Chinese by Pope Leo XIV, announced the day before.

“China is ready to work with the Vatican to promote continuous improvement in relations between China and the Holy See”said Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, at a regular press conference. The Chinese ministry explained that “Understanding and mutual trust” With the Vatican had been able to be “Reinforced” grace “To a constructive dialogue”.

The Holy See expressed its ” satisfaction “ to see the recognition, by the Chinese authorities, of the appointment of M^gr Giuseppe Lin Yuntuan, 73, as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou (capital of the province of Fujian, in the south-east of the country), carried out on June 5.

“This event is a new fruit of dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese authorities and an important step in the community path of the diocese”had unrolled the Vatican in a press release.

Confidential agreement

This appointment comes within the framework of a historic confidential agreement concerning the thorny question of the appointment of Catholic bishops in China, signed in 2018 and renewed for the last time for four years in October 2024.

China is home to some 12 million Catholics, divided since the 1950s, between an official Church, controlled by Beijing, and a clandestine Church, which remained faithful to Rome. The agreement, whose content has not been made public, aims to bring together Chinese Catholics while giving the Pope the last word on the appointment of the bishops.

However, its application has experienced hinds off in recent years, certain appointments having been made without the authorization of the Pope.

At the end of April, during the period of vacant sede (“The seat [étant] vacant ”in Latin, therefore the period between the death of Pope Francis and the election of Leon XIV), Beijing thus proceeded “The election” unilateral of two bishops in the dioceses of Shanghai and Xinxiang.

The Holy See and China do not maintain official diplomatic relations, because the Vatican is part of the dozen states which recognize Taiwan at the detriment of Beijing. But by this appointment, the Pope, elected on May 8, thus shows his will to continue this agreement, despite criticism.