Vatican signs historic deal with China on bishop appointments

China and the Vatican have reached a historic agreement on the appointment of Chinese bishops, with Pope Francis recognising seven clerics ordained by Beijing without the approval of the Holy See in a move that could help ease tensions in a decades-old dispute.

The Vatican said the “provisional” deal, which is concerned with how bishops are appointed in China, was “not political but pastoral”.

The two countries severed diplomatic ties in 1951, two years after the founding of the communist People’s Republic.

“Pope Francis hopes that, with these decisions, a new process may begin that will allow the wounds of the past to be overcome, leading to the full communion of all Chinese Catholics,” the Vatican said in a statement.

“With a view to sustaining the proclamation of the Gospel in China, the Holy Father Pope Francis has decided to readmit to full ecclesial communion the remaining ‘official’ Bishops, ordained without Pontifical Mandate,” it said.

In return, Beijing would recognise some, though not all, of the bishops previously appointed by the Holy See, according to a person familiar with the discussions.

Those not recognised might be so at a future date, the person said.