Handing over church powers to China

Renew or die. Three words have never meant more to the Catholic Church than they do now. We cite the facts: the Vatican already has plans to make the small state more sustainable with an agricultural voltaic plant, it embraces its first millennium saint and there is already talk about diversity ( But without going too far). There is one clear component to all this: bringing the Holy See closer to modern times in its search for new believers. And when it comes to exploration, there’s no better place than a country of 1.4 billion inhabitants.

News. An agreement has been reached between the Vatican and China for the next four years. In fact, it is a renewal of “pledges”, however temporary, where the Holy See “gives up” a part of its influence in order to maintain relations with China. In this way, from Asia they will be able to select bishops, a decision that, as we will see, not everyone agrees with equally.

Expansion and compromise. As we said, the Vatican and China have renewed an agreement, and it is not a minor one, as it focuses on resolving the decades-long conflict over the appointment of bishops in the Chinese nation. This agreement, originally signed in 2018, allows the Pope to make the final decision on episcopal appointments, however, and here’s the “grace”, the Vatican only recognizes bishops first appointed by the Chinese government.

Despite criticism from many sectors of the Church, which point to excessive concessions to the communist regime and concerns about religious freedom, both sides highlight their commitment to constructive dialogue and bilateral relations.

What do we know about the deal? The depth of the signature is not known for obvious reasons. The details of the agreement have never been fully revealed, but the general outline is quite clear: ensure that China recognizes the Pope’s authority over the Church in the country, although in return, the Holy See recognizes bishops whom the Chinese appoint. Who were appointed by the state and who had already been ostracized.

Since the signing of the first agreement, ten bishops have been named and consecrated under this provision, and even some bishops who were not previously recognized by the government have gained official recognition.

Criticisms and challenges. No doubt, this agreement has generated controversy both inside and outside the Church. In this regard, The New York Times notes that critics such as Cardinal Joseph Zen, former bishop of Hong Kong, argue that the Vatican is ceding too much control to a regime that has historically repressed religious freedom.

However, others fear that renewal would legitimize an authoritarian government and endanger Catholics who remain loyal to the underground church. Furthermore, it has been argued that China has violated the agreement on several occasions by unilaterally appointing bishops, decisions which were later accepted by Pope Francis. Obviously, there are some formulas and complications in the agreement between the two on which no one agrees.

A tense story. If you’re wondering if the story between China and the Catholic Church is new, the answer is mixed. Relations between the Holy See and the Chinese government broke down in the 1950s, leading to a split between Chinese Catholics attending state-sanctioned churches and those remaining loyal to Rome through the underground church.

But the Church knew that dialogue was necessary. We’re talking about an estimated population of 10 to 12 million Catholics, and the truth is that the Vatican has worked for decades to find a solution to the conflict, arguing that unifying and strengthening the Church in China is essential (and has millions of devotees).

And what does the Pope say? The current Pope Francis has always shown a dialogical approach towards the Asian nation, expressing his desire to strengthen bilateral relations and eventually visit the country. Despite the criticism, Francis has defended the agreement as a way to improve the church’s pastoral care and presence in Asia.

For the most powerful man in the Holy See, China is a “promise and hope” for the future of the Church, reflecting his interest in keeping doors open and exploring opportunities to expand Church relations.

Future. The agreement, as we said at the beginning, is for four years, and we do not know whether it will be extended or not. Although the agreement has allowed progress in the recognition of bishops, control over the church in China remains a complex challenge. With this latest renewal, the Vatican faces the task of balancing diplomatic relations and the principles of religious freedom.

That said, its sustainability and impact may depend on the Vatican’s ability to maintain that “respectful” dialogue while addressing existing tensions between Catholic communities loyal to Rome and the Chinese government.

This is all nonsense that only time will solve.

Image | Total Press, FMT

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