This historic agreement, signed in 2018, gives both parties a say in appointments. It was last renewed for two years in October 2022 amid tensions over the place of the country’s nearly 12 million Catholics.
China announced this Tuesday that it has agreed to extend an agreement with the Vatican regarding the appointment of bishops for four years. “Through friendly consultations, the two sides have decided to extend the agreement for another four years,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular briefing.
The Vatican and the communist leadership in Beijing signed a secret agreement in 2018 on the thorny issue of the appointment of bishops in China. That historic agreement, which gives both sides a say in appointments, was last renewed for two years in October 2022 amid tensions over the place of the country’s nearly 12 million Catholics.
On Tuesday, Beijing confirmed the renewal of the agreement and welcomed the improvement of its ties with the Vatican. “Both China and the Vatican have positively valued the results of the implementation of this agreement,” Lin declared.
“The two sides will hold talks in a constructive spirit and will continue to promote the improvement of relations between China and the Vatican,” he added.
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