Vatican and China extend deal over Catholic bishop appointments

The Vatican and China have agreed to extend an accord on the appointment of Catholic bishops in the communist country for four years.

VATICAN CITY — The decision by the Vatican and China on Tuesday to extend an accord on the appointment of Catholic bishops in the communist country for four years indicates a new level of trust between the two parties, analysts said.

Renewal of the agreement, a landmark deal originally struck in 2018 that gives Chinese officials some input into who Pope Francis appoints as bishops in the country, was first announced at a news briefing in Beijing.

The Vatican confirmed the move in a statement, saying it “remains dedicated to furthering the respectful and constructive dialogue” with China. The deal had previously been renewed every two years.

“The Holy See is ... showing that it’s confident enough that it doesn’t need to make Beijing accountable every two years,” said Michel Chambon, an academic who has written extensively on the Catholic Church in China.

“It’s a clear signal that yes, there is some level of trust now,” said Chambon, a research fellow at the Asia Research Institute in Singapore.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/vatican-china-extend-deal-catholic-bishop-appointments-rcna176727

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