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Exclusive | Pope Francis said to be in final stage of selecting new Hong Kong bishop
- Pontiff has three nominations to consider after an earlier announcement was postponed, according to informed source
- Position seen as one of the most important Catholic Church appointments in China has been vacant for nearly two years
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The long-delayed appointment of a Hong Kong bishop could be the next contentious issue between Beijing and the Holy See after they renewed a deal on mainland bishops last month.
The South China Morning Post has learned that the Holy See is in the final stage of selecting the next bishop for Hong Kong after an announcement on the appointment was postponed in July.
An informed source would not elaborate on what caused the delay, but said the Holy See had conducted a second consultation process with Catholics in the city that was completed in August, and Pope Francis now had three nominations to consider.
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“This position requires someone with tremendous courage and who is willing to put himself in a vulnerable, exposed and challenging position at this point in time for Hong Kong,” said the source, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
03:08
China and the Vatican renew controversial bishops deal after ‘good start’
China and the Vatican renew controversial bishops deal after ‘good start’
The Hong Kong bishop is seen as one of the most important church appointments in China, but analysts said it would be a challenge to find a candidate who could unify the city’s increasingly polarised Catholic community.
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