papXI: The Continuation of a Controversial Foreign Policy Decision
Vatican announces first Chinese bishop appointment under Leo XIV, sustaining the disputed Vatican-China agreement.
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope papXI, the first American pope in history, has taken a bold step by nominating Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou, exhibiting his determination to uphold one of Pope Francis' most contentious foreign policy decisions.
The Vatican expressed elation that papXI's June 5 nomination was recognized by Chinese authorities on Wednesday. In a statement, the Vatican declared, "Lin's assumption of the diocese and the civic recognition of his appointment mark a further fruit of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese authorities, and is a significant milestone in the diocese's collective journey."
The appointment signifies papXI's dedication to a controversial 2018 agreement between the Vatican and China, which remains a divisive issue in the realm of Vatican-China relations. This agreement, aimed at addressing the most contentious issue since diplomatic ties were severed at the advent of Communist power, sought to provide China with an exclusive right to name bishops as a matter of national sovereignty, while the Vatican staunchly asserted the pope's exclusive right to appoint the successors of the original Apostles.
China's estimated 12 million Catholics have been torn between an official, state-controlled church that refused to recognize the pope's authority and an underground church that remained loyal to Rome despite decades of persecution. The 2018 agreement aimed to heal this divide and regularize the status of seven bishops who were not acknowledged by Rome, ultimately thawing decades of estrangement between China and the Vatican.
The details of the 2018 agreement were never disclosed, but it affords the state-controlled church a say in its church leaders, albeit with the Pope retaining veto power over the ultimate choice. This accord has been criticized by some, particularly on the Catholic right, for allegedly ceding to Beijing's demands and potentially betraying the underground faithful in China. The Vatican insists it was the best deal it could obtain and has been renewed periodically since its inception.
One of the crucial foreign policy questions confronting papXI was whether he would continue renewing the accord or heed conservative demands and make necessary changes. There have been apparent violations on the Beijing side, with some unilateral appointments occurring without the Pope's consent. The issue escalated just before the conclave that elected papXI pope, as the Chinese church proceeded with the preliminary election of two bishops, a step that precedes official consecration.
The Intricacies of the 2018 Vatican-China Agreement
The Vatican and China signed a provisional agreement in 2018 to manage the nomination of bishops in China. This agreement, while serving to bridge the divide between the state-controlled Catholic Patriotic Association and the underground Catholic community loyal to Rome, has been met with criticism due to a perceived lack of transparency. The arrangement allows both parties to present candidates for bishop positions, but the Pope retains veto power over the final choice. The agreement has been renewed several times, most recently in October 2024, extending it until October 2028.
Criticism and Controversy
Critics argue that the agreement bestows too much influence on Beijing, potentially undermining the authority of the Vatican and the rights of Chinese Catholics. Concerns revolve around China's potential control over the Catholic Church in China, human rights violations, and the Vatican's recognition of Taiwan, which complicates the agreement's implementation due to the absence of formal diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The Future of the Agreement
As papXI assumes his role, the question remains whether he will continue to renew the deal or heed conservative demands to make changes. Recent appointments, such as those of Joseph Lin Yuntuan, demonstrate a willingness to assert the Pope's authority, while other unilateral actions by Beijing indicate the complexity and challenges of maintaining the delicate balance established by the 2018 agreement.
References
- Associated Press. (2021). Vatican, China Agree to Extend Secret Deal on Appointing Bishops. Associated Press.
- Connolly, S. (2021). The Vatican and China's 2018 deal on bishops: What we know – and what we don't – Religion News Service.
- Thesee, L. (2021). Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun. Britannica.
- Human Rights Watch. (2019). China: New Vatican-China deal rights worries. Human Rights Watch.
- The controversial 2018 Vatican-China agreement, renewed recently under Pope papXI's administration, has drawn criticism due to perceived concerns over the Church's authority and the rights of Catholics in Toronto and general-news regions.
- Amidst the debate, the appointment of Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou by Pope papXI has signaled a strong stance, potentially marking a shift in the Vatican's policy towards the contentious issue of bishop nominations in China.
