The Holy See and the Chinese government have renewed their provisional agreement for the Vatican to be involved in the appointment of bishops.
The terms of the deal are not public. It was originally brokered in September 2018 and was renewed in October 2020.
Eight bishops were recognized by the Pope when the agreement went into force, and another six have since been ordained.
Yet, China expert Francesco Scisi explains that tensions caused by the pandemic and war have changed the West's relationship with China, leaving the Church in a unique position to act as an intermediary between them, beginning with their deal.
FRANCESCO SCISI
Sinologist, Remnin Universtiy of China
For the Church, it's a way also of reaching out to the Chinese, and explain we could help you out, you Chinese to understand the world, first of all, and also for the Chinese to understand that the Church could be a very powerful political tool. They can work as an important bridge, cultural, but I would say beyond culture, sentimental almost.
Prior to its renewal, Pope Francis commented on the difficulty of understanding the Chinese mentality given its richness, and said the agreement was slowly progressing.
POPE FRANCIS
It is a slow process, but steps forward are always being made.
The deal was renewed despite uncertainty around it due to the Chinese government's detention of Hong Kong bishop emeritus Cardinal Zen, whose trial will continue at the end of October.
JM
