In a new interview with America Magazine, Pope Francis said the Vatican-China deal has had both failures and successes, but he \u201ccannot find another way\u201d to carry out diplomacy.<\/p>\n
The pope spoke about the Vatican-China deal with America Magazine on Nov. 22, two days before the Nov. 24 installation ceremony of Bishop John Peng Weizhao, which the Vatican said \u201cdid not occur in accordance with … what was stipulated\u201d in the renewed provisional agreement.<\/p>\n
A Nov. 26 statement said that \u201cthe Holy See noted with surprise and regret\u201d that Peng had been installed as an \u201cauxiliary bishop of Jiangxi,\u201d a diocese that is not recognized by the Vatican.<\/p>\n
In the America Magazine interview, published Nov. 28, Pope Francis emphasized dialogue \u201cup to the point that is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDialogue is the way of the best diplomacy,\u201d he said. \u201cWith China I have opted for the way of dialogue. It is slow, it has its failures, it has its successes, but I cannot find another way.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that the Chinese people have great wisdom and deserve his respect and admiration.<\/p>\n
\u201cI take off my hat to them,\u201d Francis continued. \u201cAnd for this reason I try to dialogue, because it is not that we are going to conquer people. No! There are Christians there. They have to be cared for, so that they may be good Chinese and good Christians.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peng\u2019s installation ceremony took place one month after the Vatican renewed its provisional deal with Beijing on the appointment of Catholic bishops for an additional two years.<\/p>\n
The most recent appointment of a bishop in China, Archbishop Cui Qingqi, took place more than one year ago on Sept. 8, 2021.<\/p>\n
Since the China deal entered into force in October 2018, only six bishops have been appointed, two of whom were already in talks for nomination before the deal\u2019s signing.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, as many as one-third of China\u2019s Catholic dioceses may be without a bishop.<\/p>\n
There are 66 bishops in China, according to a report by Bishop Shen Bin of Haiman, who co-leads the Chinese Council of Bishops \u2014 a body that supports the Patriotic Association and is not recognized by the Holy See.<\/p>\n
The Holy See divides China into 20 archdioceses, 85 dioceses, and 34 apostolic prefectures (Beijing subdivides the country into 98 dioceses).<\/p>\n
The boundaries of the \u201cDiocese of Jiangxi,\u201d where Bishop Peng was installed this month, were drawn by Chinese authorities without Vatican approval.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Holy See hopes that similar episodes will not be repeated, remains awaiting appropriate communications on the matter from the authorities, and reaffirms its full readiness to continue the respectful dialogue concerning all matters of common interest,\u201d the Vatican said Nov. 26.<\/p>\n
This article was originally published by ETWN News English.<\/p>\n