Beijing gets new Catholic bishop, days after Vatican-China deal renewal

Vatican City Reuters A new assistant Catholic bishop for Beijing was ordained on Friday, three days after the Vatican and Chinese officials extended an accord on appointments in China, the Vatican said. Bishop Matthew Zhen Xuebin, 54, was named to the role by Pope Francis, who approved his nomination within the framework of a diplomatic […]
Members of US religious freedom panel speak out against China-Vatican deal

Vatican City RNS Members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom criticised a recently renewed Vatican deal with China, saying it emboldens the Chinese government to crackdown on Christian communities. The secretive provisional agreement, originally signed in 2018 and renewed on 2nd October, allows Beijing to have a say in the appointment of bishops in […]
Vatican confirms renewal of contested accord with China on bishops’ appointments

Vatican City Reuters The Vatican on Saturday said that it and China had renewed a secret and contested agreement on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops in the communist country. It was the second time the accord, which is still provisional, was extended for another two years since it was first reached in 2018. The […]
Pope voices hope church in China can operate in freedom

Vatican City AP Pope Francis on Sunday expressed his spiritual closeness to Catholics in China, voicing hope that the church there operates in “freedom and tranquility,’’ but making no mention of a 90-year-old cardinal who was recently arrested in Hong Kong. Addressing the public gathered in St Peter’s Square for the pontiff’s traditional Sunday remarks, […]
China and the Vatican: How a deal may protect Chinese Catholics, keep Pope Francis silent

CLAIRE GIANGRAVÉ, of Religion News Service, looks at the deal, much of the content of which still remains unknown, between the Vatican and China…