From the Daily Compass:
The Vatican’s extension of its 2018 agreement with China concerning bishop appointments has sparked ongoing concerns about damage to the Catholic Church’s autonomy. The deal, originally intended to foster unity between the state-recognized Church and underground Catholics faithful to Rome, has allowed Beijing to strengthen its influence. Critics argue that China exploits the arrangement to appoint bishops that align with government interests, often bypassing real Vatican approval.
This agreement has intensified hardships for Catholics in China, especially those refusing to join the state-controlled Patriotic Association. The Chinese Communist Party’s push for sinicization—reshaping religious practices to conform to state ideology—has led to a stifling of religious freedom and increased suppression. The article emphasizes that the Vatican’s willingness to renew the deal without significant reform has weakened its moral position and left Chinese Catholics vulnerable to state oppression.
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