CHINA
La Croix International
November 12, 2018
By Michael Sainsbury
Their fate was not included in the recent deal with Beijing and remains under discussion
On the face of it, one of the more curious issues about the recent “temporary” deal between the Vatican and Beijing on the appointment of bishops, as described in the official state-run Chinese media, was the lack of any resolution of the status of bishops appointed by the Vatican but not recognized by Communist Party-run Catholic groups.
It would seem to have been a logical quid pro quo — something granted or expected in return for something given — for the Vatican’s forgiveness and recognition of seven bishops (including one recently deceased bishop) appointed by the Chinese Communist Party’s twinset of Catholic apparatus. These are the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the Bishops’ Conference of the Chinese Catholic Church (BCCCC). This meant their de facto excommunications were also revoked.
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