DEVIL’S PACT? Opponents of the deal said they fear that concessions to Beijing might backfire among the Vatican’s loyal underground supporters in the country
Taipei Times
Date: Mar 30, 2018
By: AFP, VATICAN CITY AND BEIJING
A historic deal between China and the Vatican on the appointment of bishops is not
Catholic clergy yesterday arrive for mass on Holy Thursday, ahead of Easter celebrations at Beijing’s government sanctioned South Cathedral in Beijing. Photo: AFP
“imminent,” a Vatican spokesman said yesterday, contradicting a Beijing-approved bishop.
“I can state that there is no imminent signature of an agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China,” Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said in a statement.
“I would like to stress that the Holy Father Francis remains in constant contact with his collaborators on Chinese issues and is accompanying the steps of the ongoing dialogue,” Burke added.
Earlier in the day, the state-owned Global Times newspaper had quoted Bishop Guo Jincai (郭金才), secretary-general of the Bishops Conference of the Catholic Church in China, as saying that negotiations with the Vatican had reached “the final stages.” [FULL STORY]
