Originally published at National Catholic Register
With the extension, the Sino-Vatican agreement will now remain in effect until Oct. 22, 2028.
The Vatican announced Tuesday that it has renewed its agreement with China on the appointment of Catholic bishops for an additional four years.
The renewal comes days after a report from the Hudson Institute detailed how seven Catholic bishops in China have been detained without due process, while other bishops have experienced intense pressure, surveillance, and police investigations since the Sino-Vatican agreement was initially signed six years ago.
With the extension, the Sino-Vatican agreement will now remain in effect until Oct. 22, 2028.
The English translation of the official statement from the Holy See said that “the Vatican party remains dedicated to furthering the respectful and constructive dialogue with the Chinese party, in view of the further development of bilateral relations for the benefit of the Catholic Church in China and the Chinese people as a whole.”
The statement added that both sides agreed to extend the provisional agreement after “appropriate consultation and assessment.”
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian also confirmed the extension, saying that the two sides would maintain “contact and dialogue following a constructive spirit,” according to the Associated Press.
Originally
