Four more years of trust 'for the good of the Church and the Chinese people'
Th, Fr Gianni Criveller, editorial director of AsiaNews, made the comment following the renewal of the Agreement between the Vatican and Beijing on episcopal appointments. Given the lowkey with which the renewal was announced suggests awareness that background problems remain serious. “After the 2023 crisis, China avoided taking things too far,” and today the climate seems to have improved; hence, “giving up on the narrow path of dialogue and scrapping the agreement would not bring any advantage.”
Milan (AsiaNews) – Beijing and the Vatican announced yesterday that the Provisional Agreement on episcopal appointments between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China – signed in 2018, and renewed in 2020 and 2022 – was extended for four more years. The main change is the duration, from two to four years, probably a compromise since China would have liked the accord to be permanent while the Holy See favoured two years.
The agreement has not been modified or made public, although the Vatican probably would have preferred to 'improve' it and make it public. It is well known that the Holy See sees the arrangement as a starting point and not a point of arrival, a path open to improvements and progress.
The 'secrecy' instead favours equivocal representations of the agreement by Religious Affairs officials; this has already occurred in the past, including one case that forced the Holy See to issue a 'clarifying' note on 28 June 2019 about the civil registration of the clergy.
The need to improve the agreement or clarify its scope is evident, especially after a serious episode on 4 April 2023, when Bishop Shen Bin was transferred to Shanghai without papal consent. In that case too, the Holy See reacted by releasing an unusually harsh statement.
In recent months, Holy See officials and Francis himself have expressed a certain confidence. Talks have resumed, bearing some fruit. It seems that, after the crisis of 2023, China has avoided taking things too far. This can be inferred from yesterday’s press release that read, “consensus reached for an effective application”.
As AsiaNews reported a few days ago, another major event is expected in the coming few hours. Fr Matthew Zhen is set to become the coadjutor bishop of Beijing with his ordination next Friday. The Archbishop of Beijing, Li Shan, is only 59 years old. He might have some health problems, or be very busy chairing the Patriotic Association, while Bishop Zhen, who is only 54 years old and speaks English, is more suited for international contacts. In any case, this appointment sets the Diocese of Beijing for at least 20 years.
It is hard to say whether the results achieved by the agreement are satisfactory. They are enough for the Vatican, but not for those who point out that some 30 dioceses, a third of the total, are still without a bishop. The agreement is limited to one issue, centred on the Holy See's concern to offer the Catholic faithful, if not freedom, at least pastoral and organisational leadership in conformity with Church tradition.
Notwithstanding any error of interpretation on our part, perhaps for this reason, the Holy See's press release and official Vatican statements are more sober and prudent than on the previous three occasions (2018, 2020, 2022). The communiqué mentions “appropriate consultation and assessment” that preceded the renewal. The Holy See certainly heard the doubts expressed both inside and outside China about the way the agreement is working.
Pope Francis is certainly personally involved in the process that led to this agreement and knows its limits and even the risks, as he has clearly stated in some interviews. He has not given up on dialogue and remains convinced that it will bear fruit one day. I think the pope will not stop in the face of difficulties because he wants to win over his interlocutors in generosity, counting on the loyalty of men of good will and on humanity’s common dignity.
Still, serious issues remain on the table. I can think of only a few: religious and political freedom, the often severe application of rules that limit the practice of the faith, bishops and priests deemed “undesirable” kept under control and prevented from moving freely, the rhetoric of sinicisation that rages in every public address about the Church, the policy of reducing the number of dioceses and redrawing their boundaries to fit administrative needs in derogation of papal prerogatives, as well as the training of bishops, priests and the laity. Here is one example: on their first appointment, bishops from all over the world meet in Rome for a few weeks of preparation and fraternisation, but Chinese bishops are excluded.
No one can imagine that an agreement alone can solve such serious issues. I am convinced that the Holy See is aware of this and that it would have liked sincere negotiations to bring about improvements and cover other important issues for a free Church life, including having a permanent presence in Beijing.
Having formal diplomatic relations is an issue that is occasionally mentioned but remains extremely delicate, as it involves the fate of Taiwan. We were positively impressed that the pope sent Cardinal Emeritus John Tong of Hong Kong as his representative to the Eucharistic congress of Taiwan, held in Kaohsiung last 5 October. At this delicate moment for the future of the island, this act suggests that Taiwan, for the Holy See, is not a lingering annoyance from the past or an obstacle, but is a place, with a Church, that deserves respect and consideration.
Meanwhile, talks with Beijing continue. This is not an easy task, nor do any alternatives offer better guarantees. The Holy See seems to us convinced that giving up on the narrow path of dialogue and scrapping the agreement would not bring any advantage. We who love the Church and follow the pope, embrace the hope that the next four years of the agreement will be for “the good of the Catholic Church in the country and all Chinese people.”
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16/07/2020 13:26
