Focus Taiwan
Date: 10/22/2020
By: Emerson Lim

Taipei, Oct. 22 (CNA) Taiwan on Thursday reminded the Vatican of the importance of religious freedom after it extended a provisional agreement on bishop appointments with China for another two years.

The Vatican, Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Europe, announced earlier in the day that it has agreed to extend an agreement with Beijing regarding the appointment of Catholic bishops in China due to the "positive results" seen over the past two years.

Under the agreement, first signed in September 2018, Beijing proposes bishops for appointment by the Pope, who can either appoint or veto the recommendations.

"According to the Code of Canon Law, all bishops of the Catholic Church around the world are appointed by the Pope," Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said in a statement in response to the development.    [FULL  STORY]