Latest news with #Sino-Vatican
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope Leo XIV names new bishop for Archdiocese of Fuzhou, China
June 11 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday appointed Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Fuzhou, China. "We are pleased to learn that today, on the occasion of the taking possession of the Office of Auxiliary Bishop of Fuzhou by His Excellency Monsignor Joseph Lin Yuntuan, his Episcopal Ministry is also recognized for the purposes of civil law," the Holy See said in a statement. "This event constitutes a further fruit of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese Authorities and is an important step in the journey of communion of the Diocese." The Vatican said that both "the recognition of the civil effects" and taking possession the office occurred Wednesday "in the framework of the dialogue regarding the application of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China." Yuntuan's appointment was made possible by the Sino-Vatican deal signed in September 2024 and renewed for a third time in October 2024. A May 12 Human Rights Watch statement urged the Vatican to review the agreement that allows China to appoint bishops for government-approved houses of worship, subject to Pope Leo's approval. "Pope Leo XIV has an opportunity to make a fresh start with China to protect the religious freedom of China's Catholics," HRW associate China director Maya Wang said in a statement. "The new pope should press for negotiations that could help improve the right to religious practice for everyone in China." Details of the Sino-Vatican deal have never been made public. According to HRW, the agreement with the Vatican was signed during a period of intensified religious repression in China. HRW has urged Leo to press the Chinese government to immediately free several Catholic clergy who have been "imprisoned, forcibly disappeared, or subjected to house arrest and other harassment." Msgr. Joseph Lun Yuntuan is a China-born cleric ordained as a priest April 9, 1984. He was an episcopal delegate for several years and from 2013-2016 he "performed the ministry of Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis." Yuntuan received episcopal ordination Dec. 28, 2017. The metropolitan Archdiocese of Fuzhou was established in 1946. Leo has appointed 15 new bishops in Asia, the United States, Africa, Europe and South America.
UPI
2 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
Pope Leo XIV names new bishop for Archdiocese of Fuzhou, China
Pope Leo XIV Wednesday appointed Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Fuzhou, China. The Pope waves from the popemobile as he arrives for the weekly General Audience in St. Peter's Square, in Vatican City, May 21. Photo By Angelo Carconi/ EPA-EFE June 11 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday appointed Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Fuzhou, China. "We are pleased to learn that today, on the occasion of the taking possession of the Office of Auxiliary Bishop of Fuzhou by His Excellency Monsignor Joseph Lin Yuntuan, his Episcopal Ministry is also recognized for the purposes of civil law," the Holy See said in a statement. "This event constitutes a further fruit of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese Authorities and is an important step in the journey of communion of the Diocese." The Vatican said that both "the recognition of the civil effects" and taking possession the office occurred Wednesday "in the framework of the dialogue regarding the application of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China." Yuntuan's appointment was made possible by the Sino-Vatican deal signed in September 2024 and renewed for a third time in October 2024. A May 12 Human Rights Watch statement urged the Vatican to review the agreement that allows China to appoint bishops for government-approved houses of worship, subject to Pope Leo's approval. "Pope Leo XIV has an opportunity to make a fresh start with China to protect the religious freedom of China's Catholics," HRW associate China director Maya Wang said in a statement. "The new pope should press for negotiations that could help improve the right to religious practice for everyone in China." Details of the Sino-Vatican deal have never been made public. According to HRW, the agreement with the Vatican was signed during a period of intensified religious repression in China. HRW has urged Leo to press the Chinese government to immediately free several Catholic clergy who have been "imprisoned, forcibly disappeared, or subjected to house arrest and other harassment." Msgr. Joseph Lun Yuntuan is a China-born cleric ordained as a priest April 9, 1984. He was an episcopal delegate for several years and from 2013-2016 he "performed the ministry of Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis." Yuntuan received episcopal ordination Dec. 28, 2017. The metropolitan Archdiocese of Fuzhou was established in 1946. Leo has appointed 15 new bishops in Asia, the United States, Africa, Europe and South America.
Herald Malaysia
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Did China ‘slap' Francis in his coffin?
Beyond geopolitics, its absence at his funeral will also have consequences within the conclave itself Apr 28, 2025 Cardinals pay their respects to Pope Francis inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on April 23, where his body lay state for three days. (Photo: AFP) By Michel Chambon As more than 1.4 billion Catholics around the world said farewell to Pope Francis — and millions of non-Catholics watched his funeral live — one country's absence stood out: Xi Jinping's China. This absence was so conspicuous that even critics of both Pope Francis and China hardly dared to comment. From the very beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis showed particular attention to China. Time and again, he expressed his love for the Chinese people and his desire to visit this vast country. He managed to revive the long-stalled Sino-Vatican dialogue and, in 2018, secured an agreement on the appointment of bishops in China. Despite harsh criticism both within and outside the Church, Francis persisted, believing in the potential of this agreement and China's leadership. He never gave up on China — even when its leaders remained distant and unpredictable. And this commitment wasn't only for the benefit of Chinese Catholics; for Francis, it was also about acknowledging China's role and contributions to the world. This attention to China remained strong until the very end — even at his funeral. After the sermon, the last universal prayer was read in Chinese — the only Asian language represented. And yet, despite 12 years of persistent, personal efforts to build trust and dialogue — often in the face of opposition — China chose not to send a single delegation to Francis's funeral. Not even a small group. It may take time to fully understand what led to such a striking lack of tact and dignity. True, official condolences were issued the day after the pope's passing. Sober and professional, they reflected a certain normalization of relations between China and the Holy See. But words alone can never replace a human, fraternal presence. No one expected China's top officials to attend, but surely a modest delegation — or at least one or two Chinese bishops — would have been appropriate. Yet none came. According to informal sources, China requested that the Vatican exclude the Taiwanese delegation. When the Vatican diplomatically refused, China reportedly decided to boycott the event. It seems the diplomatic mishaps of John Paul II's funeral still cast a shadow. But this absence goes beyond the question of Taiwan. At a time when China positions itself as an alternative to American imperialism and a champion of multilateralism, it's hard to understand why it found it necessary to snub one of multilateralism's most compassionate voices: Pope Francis. By staying away, China turned its back on a loyal friend and a demanding partner. After this, it will be harder to dismiss those who claim that China, at heart, seeks not partners or friends — but vassals. While China denounces American greed and condemns hegemonic tariffs, it failed to honor a servant of the common good. Its absence from Francis's funeral only deepens skepticism among its neighbors and the wider world: is China truly different from the hegemons it criticizes? One doesn't need to reread Confucius to remember that, in the face of death, a universal ethical code applies. Equal in death, are we not capable of setting aside our momentary interests, if only briefly? Beyond geopolitics, this absence will also have consequences within the conclave itself. Though it is too soon to gauge their full extent, it is clear that the cardinals advocating constructive dialogue with China will find it harder to be heard. China's absence does not help the process of discernment and consensus-building within the conclave. In a world growing ever more polarized, that is not good news. Believer or not, the world needs figures like Francis — people who can rise above national differences, economic greed, and ideological divisions. When China delivers something like a slap to Pope Francis as he rests peacefully in his coffin, it is, in truth, a slap to the rest of the
The Star
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Church in Hong Kong expected to remain bridge between Vatican and Beijing
The Hong Kong Catholic Church has said it will continue to serve as a bridge between mainland China and the Holy See, while observers expect the local diocese to further foster the more harmonious Sino-Vatican ties built by Pope Francis, who died on Monday. Expressing condolences over the pope's death, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that Beijing and the Vatican had maintained constructive contact and conducted friendly exchanges, and the central government was willing to work with the Holy See to promote the continued improvement of relations.
South China Morning Post
23-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Church in Hong Kong expected to remain bridge between Vatican and Beijing
The Hong Kong Catholic Church has said it will continue to serve as a bridge between mainland China and the Holy See, while observers expect the local diocese to further foster the more harmonious Sino-Vatican ties built by Pope Francis , who died on Monday Advertisement Expressing condolences over the pope's death, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that Beijing and the Vatican had maintained constructive contact and conducted friendly exchanges, and the central government was willing to work with the Holy See to promote the continued improvement of relations. Dr Anthony Lam Sui-ki, a former researcher of the Catholic diocese's Holy Spirit Study Centre in the city, said he expected the Hong Kong church's voice to get bigger in the Vatican leadership under the next pope. 'No matter who becomes the next pope, the Vatican and Beijing will be moving towards a more harmonious and conciliatory relationship. It seems to have been the general policy of the Vatican in recent years,' said Lam, an expert in Catholic affairs. 'It is generally believed that the Vatican will hear more about what the Hong Kong diocese would have to say in this respect.' 04:43 Pope Francis dies at age 88 Pope Francis dies at age 88 Lam also pointed to the warm ties Hong Kong Catholic leader Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan had with the mainland, saying he had helped to foster dialogue and understanding.
