Vatican-China Relations and the 2018 Agreement

The Vatican-China agreement aimed to address the complex relationship between the Catholic Church and the Chinese government, particularly concerning the appointment of bishops. Under this provisional agreement, the Vatican committed to consulting with the Chinese authorities before appointing bishops, ensuring that no bishop would be appointed in China without the approval of Beijing. This marked a significant shift in the Vatican's approach, as it had traditionally maintained a stance of independence from governmental influence in ecclesiastical matters. In exchange for this concession, the Chinese government acknowledged the pope as the supreme head of the Catholic Church, a recognition that had been contentious due to the existence of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, which operated independently of the Vatican and was seen as contrary to church doctrine. The agreement was renewed for an additional two years, indicating a continued effort to stabilize and normalize the situation for Catholics in China, who had faced restrictions and persecution in the past.