China highlighted improving relationships with the Vatican on Thursday after Pope Leo XIV. For the first time since joining the office, he appointed a bishop in the Chinese diocese. TASR reports according to AFP.
The Holy See on Wednesday expressed “satisfaction” that China acknowledged the appointment of 73-year-old Lin Jün-tchuan with the religious name Ruo-SE (Joseph) as an auxiliary bishop in the city of Fu-Čou in the province of Fujien. Pope appointed him on June 5 and, according to AFP, it indicates that Lion XIV. He continues to support a controversial agreement on the appointment of bishops, which Pope Francis, with Beijing, concluded his predecessor,
“China is willing to cooperate with the Vatican to pursue a constant improvement in Chinese-Vatican relations,” Said a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Linch Jien at regular briefing. He also announced that the appointment of the bishop “strengthened understanding and mutual confidence through constructive dialogue”.
AFP recalls that the Vatican and the People’s Republic of China do not have official diplomatic relations, as the Holy See officially considers a legitimate government to a legitimate government of China’s democratic cabinet based in Taiwan.
Vatican and Beijing signed an agreement in 2018 during the pontificate of the deceased Pope Francis, which gives both parties the opportunity to comment on the appointment of bishops in the territory of Communist China. They subsequently extended the agreement in 2022 and 2024. Its wording has not yet been published and in the Church has caused a wave of criticism.
However, since the conclusion of the Agreement, Beijing has appointed several Catholic bishops without the prior approval of the Vatican. For example, in November 2022, the Holy See strongly condemned the appointment of Pcheng Wed as an auxiliary bishop in Jiang-Si, which the Vatican does not recognize as a diocese.
