(ANSA) - BEIJING, OCT 22 - The Vatican and China on Thursday
extended for another two years an accord on the appointment of
bishops which has been contested by the United States.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently urged the Vatican not
to renew the deal saying the Church should do more to defend
religious freedom.
China confirmed the extension of the accord, which had been
announced by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin
on Wednesday.
"On October 22, after friendly consultations," said Chinese
foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, "China and the Vatican
decided to extend the preliminary accord for another two years".
He added: "The two sides will remain in close consultation and
communication in order to continually improve their relations".
The Holy See, for its part, described the deal extension as "of
fundamental ecclesiastical and pastoral value".
It said the deal signed two years ago "has been positive, thanks
to good communication and collaboration between the parties in
the agreed matter".
It said the Vatican intends "to continue open and constructive
dialogue to favour the life of the Catholic Church and the good
of the Chinese people".
The bishops issue had long seen the Vatican at loggerheads with
Beijing.
Many Chinese Catholics were forced to worship in an underground
Church with bishops appointed by Rome, while the Chinese
government appointed its own bishops.
The Vatican on Thursday said the new dialogue had been "strongly
desired" by Pope Francis.
Two bishops were appointed under the extension of the accord,
with the Vatican calling this "a good start".
But it said "situations of suffering remain". (ANSA).
Vatican and China extend bishops deal
2 bishops already appointed under prolonged accord, 'good start'