Historic Accord: China-Vatican Bishop Deal Extended

China and the Vatican have extended their 2018 agreement on appointing Catholic bishops in China for four more years. The deal allows Chinese officials input on appointments, although the pope retains final say. Critics argue it gives China too much control. Talks for improving relations will continue.

In a significant development, China and the Vatican have agreed to extend their historic accord on the appointment of Catholic bishops in China for an additional four years, Beijing announced on Tuesday.

The original 2018 deal, previously renewed every two years, provides Chinese officials with some influence over the appointment of bishops, with Pope Francis holding the final decision-making authority. The extension aims to enhance diplomatic relations between the two entities, according to a statement from foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.

The Vatican has yet to release an official statement confirming the extension. While the agreement is seen as a resolution to a long-standing division between the Vatican-loyal underground church and the state-supervised Catholic Patriotic Association, some conservative Catholics have labeled it as overly lenient towards Chinese control. Cardinal Joseph Zen has been particularly outspoken in his criticism. However, Pope Francis recently expressed satisfaction with the continuing dialogue, highlighting positive outcomes from the agreement.