VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has officially appointed Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan as the auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou, a move marking his initial appointment under the contentious 2018 agreement between the Vatican and Beijing. This decision indicates that Pope Leo is continuing with one of the most polarizing foreign policies initiated by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
The Vatican expressed its contentment with this appointment, noting that the recognition of Bishop Lin by Chinese authorities on Wednesday is an outcome of the ongoing dialogue between the Vatican and China. A statement from the Vatican emphasized that Bishop Lin taking over the diocese and the civic recognition of his role signifies a substantial advance in the region’s collective religious journey.
The 2018 accord spearheaded by Pope Francis had stirred controversy, mainly among conservatives, as it addressed the long-standing tension over the appointment of bishops—a primary source of division between the Vatican and China since diplomatic relations were severed following the Communist takeover. China had insisted on naming bishops autonomously to assert its national sovereignty, contrary to the Vatican’s stance on the Pope’s exclusive authority to appoint bishops as successors to the Apostles.
With China’s Catholic community, estimated to be around 12 million, split between the state-sanctioned church, which rejected papal authority, and an underground church that maintained allegiance to Rome despite persecution, the Vatican sought reunification efforts through the 2018 agreement. This was intended to heal divisions, formalize the status of seven bishops, and ease historical tensions between China and the Vatican.
Although the specifics of the agreement were never disclosed, it allowed the state-controlled church some influence over episcopal appointments, albeit with the Pope’s reserved right to veto. Critics, notably from the conservative Catholic faction, argued that the deal represented a concession to Beijing, undermining the underground church in its endeavor to align with state interests. Nevertheless, the Vatican maintained that it was the most feasible agreement, leading to its series of renewals.
Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, faces pivotal foreign policy decisions, notably whether to continue renewing this accord amid pressures for changes from conservatives. Issues arose prior to his papacy, when Chinese authorities proceeded with appointing two bishops without informing the Vatican, raising concerns about Beijing’s adherence to the accord.
Pope Leo’s strategies moving forward will be crucial in balancing diplomatic relations with China while addressing internal calls for reform.