China cool to Vatican proposal for compromise on selection of bishops
March 13, 2015
The Chinese government has shown little interest in a proposed compromise with the Vatican on the ordination of Catholic bishops.
In an interview broadcast in Hong Kong on March 12, Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, suggested that the Holy See might accept an agreement with Beijing allowing the government to screen candidates for episcopal ordination. Such a policy, similar to the Vatican’s current agreement with Vietnam, could break an impasse over the ordination of new bishops, the papal spokesman said.
However, the Chinese foreign ministry quickly replied that the Vatican must respect “the historical tradition and reality of Catholics in China.” Beijing insists that bishops should be chosen by the government-backed Patriotic Association.
“We are willing to have constructive dialogue with the Vatican,” a Chinese spokesman said. But he gave no evidence of thinking that the proposal suggested by Father Lombardi could be an acceptable subject for negotiation.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
