Vatican and China in new talks over thorny issue of appointment of bishops
Even a partial resolution of the matter could open the way for an eventual resumption of diplomatic relations nearly 70 years
The Vatican and China have held new talks on the naming of bishops, and the Holy See has raised concerns over a tightening of restrictions on religious practice, Vatican and diplomatic sources said on Friday.
The talks between the two delegations, the first since a meeting in Beijing in December, took place quietly in Rome in recent days, the sources said. The Vatican has not announced the talks.
Vatican sources said that there was still no clear idea on when the deal could be signed but that the dialogue was continuing.
Catholics in China are split between those in “underground” communities that recognise the pope and those belonging to a state-controlled Catholic Patriotic Association where bishops are appointed by the government in collaboration with local church communities.
An even partial resolution of the thorny issue of the appointment of bishops could open the way for an eventual resumption of diplomatic relations nearly 70 years after they were cut during the Communist takeover of China.