Pope Leo XIV has made his inaugural appointment of a Chinese bishop under the Vatican’s 2018 accord with Beijing, a move that signals the continuation of one of his predecessors, Pope Francis’ most contentious foreign policy decisions.
Reports indicate that the Vatican, on June 5, nominated Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou. This nomination was recognized by Chinese authorities this past Wednesday. In a statement, the Vatican expressed satisfaction, noting that Bishop Lin’s acceptance of the diocese and the civic recognition of his appointment are significant strides in the diocese’s communal journey.
The bone of contention in Vatican-China relations has been the nomination of bishops. This issue has been divisive since diplomatic ties were severed when the Communists assumed power in China. The Vatican maintained the Pope’s exclusive right to appoint successors of the Apostles, while China insisted on the exclusive national sovereignty to name bishops.
China’s approximately 12 million Catholics have been torn between an official, state-controlled church that dismissed papal authority and an underground church that remained loyal to Rome through years of persecution. In 2018, Pope Francis approved a deal aimed at unifying these factions and regularizing the status of seven bishops not recognized by Rome, thus thawing decades of estrangement between China and the Vatican.
Though the specific details of the 2018 agreement were not disclosed, it gave the state-controlled church some influence in selecting its leaders, with Pope Francis insisting he retained veto power over the ultimate choice. This agreement has been periodically renewed, despite criticism from some quarters, particularly the Catholic right, accusing the Vatican of acquiescing to Beijing’s demands and betraying the underground faithful in China. The Vatican defended the accord as the best possible deal under the circumstances.
This raises important questions about Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, and his foreign policy decisions. Will he continue renewing the accord as it stands or heed conservative demands and implement changes? This remains to be seen, especially in light of apparent infractions by Beijing with unilateral bishop appointments made without papal consent.
As we continue to observe the unfolding story between the Vatican and Beijing, we remind our readers of the importance of staying informed. In times of diplomatic uncertainty.
