China and Vatican Extend Bishops Appointment Agreement for Four Years, Says Lin Jian

Oct 22, 2024, 10:13 AM

China and the Vatican have agreed to extend their provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops for an additional four years. The agreement, initially signed in 2018, has been renewed twice before, in 2020 and 2022. Both sides have expressed a commitment to maintaining a respectful and constructive dialogue. The Vatican confirmed the extension, emphasizing its dedication to further developing bilateral relations with China. Despite some criticisms from conservative Catholics, both parties view the extension as a positive step towards improving ties. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian announced the extension on October 22.