This is 94-year-old Shi Hongzhen. He has been a bishop in China for over four decades. In 2019, Pope Francis appointed him titular of the diocese of Tianjin. But the Chinese government had not approved his appointment.
Now, he has been officially recognized by the Chinese government. The Vatican says this decision is a “positive fruit of the dialogue established over the years.”
It is a decision that is part of the agreement between China and the Holy See. While the details of the agreement are private, what is known is that it seeks consensus between the two countries on the appointments of bishops.
The document was approved in 2018 and has already been renewed twice—most recently in 2022. According to the Vatican Secretary of State, the agreement is expected to be renewed again this October.
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TR: AT
