Pope Leo’s China test

On 11 June, Pope Leo XIV appointed Joseph Lin Yuntuan, 73, an underground bishop of Fujan province in China, as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Fuzhou, home to about 300,000 Catholics and more than 100 priests. This was Pope Leo’s first episcopal appointment in China. The appointment of Bishop Lin follows the late Pope Francis’s choice of Bishop Cai Bingrui in January for the post of Ordinary Bishop of the Diocese of Fuzhou. It follows that the latest appointment can be seen as maintaining continuity with Pope Francis’s policy for the Church in China. 

Bishop Lin’s appointment has been officially recognised by the Chinese government, reflecting its conformity with the Sino-Vatican Provisional Agreement. Both sides have claimed that it is an important step in improved Sino-Vatican communication and relations. The provisional agreement, which regulates the appointment of bishops in China, was signed between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Holy See on 22 September 2018. The exact text of the provisional agreement was not released. 

Since 2018, the agreement has been renewed three times, most recently last year, with the latest iteration valid until 2028. The agreement allows Chinese authorities to nominate bishops for the state-sanctioned Church, with the Vatican having a say in their approval. The Holy See believes that this opens the door to a constructive dialogue with China as it is the first time that the PRC has officially granted a foreign power the right to participate in national religious affairs. 

In the letter “Message to Catholics of China and to the Universal Church” released in September 2018, Pope Francis explained that the reasons for signing the provisional agreement were to promote the proclamation of the gospel, and to establish unity among 10-12 million adherents that comprise the Catholic community in China. Supporters of the agreement argue there is an urgent need to strengthen evangelisation and pastoral work in China. 

Notwithstanding the good intentions of Pope Francis and the Holy See, the agreement has attracted controversy. Critics believe that it was an act of appeasement, having “sold out” long-suffering members of the underground church on the mainland. Moreover, the PRC in 2018 issued renewed Regulations on Religious Affairs, which, although not necessarily directly related to the agreement, imposed many restrictions on religions, limiting the space of Church activities and prohibiting connection with foreign organisations. As a result, there has been little increase in religious freedom in China and in certain places conditions arguably have worsened.

It is difficult to say whether the provisional agreement represents progress. During Pope Francis’ pontificate, there were ten appointments and consecrations of bishops but some 30 dioceses—a third of the total—remain without a bishop, thus lacking pastoral and organisational leadership. As the agreement is secret, some local officials have made false claims and imposed unreasonable requests on the clergy, such as compulsory civil registration, and on the faithful, such as prohibiting children and youth under 18 to attend Church activities. In April 2023, Bishop Shen Bin was transferred to Shanghai without papal consent. The Holy See reacted by releasing an unusually harsh statement. But after three months the papacy approved the appointment and dialogue continues. Then, just days after the death of Pope Francis in April, and before the election of Pope Leo, the Chinese government unilaterally appointed two new bishops without papal approval. Thus, some doubt the sincerity of the PRC and whether the provisional agreement is functioning.

Pope Francis expressed his concern and hope of visiting China but he could not fulfill this wish. Despite all the difficulties, he was determined to see the dialogue between China and the Holy See continue. He was a bridge-builder throughout his papacy, hoping to win over dialogue partners through generosity and sincerity.  

As some scholars and Chinese experts suggest, the Holy See is caught in a dilemma. Although the Chinese government has violated the Sino-Vatican agreement several times, dialogue would cease and Chinese Catholics face even greater duress should the Holy See abandon the agreement. Besides, the Chinese government probably would like to see the agreement continue as the Vatican, under Pope Francis, forged a reputation of building friendly relationships and influence with countries in the Global South. Pope Leo is bound to maintain this focus. 

The Vatican also is the only European country that has diplomatic ties with Taiwan. How the Holy See establishes closer relations with China without abandoning relations with Taiwan will be a challenge for Pope Leo.

The new Pope faces many other challenges in Asia with countries that lack religious freedom or formal ties with the Vatican. It is believed that the Church quietly flourishes in some Asian countries that used to be hostile to Christianity. For example, negotiation with Vietnam has been ongoing and many expect a normalisation of diplomatic relations will come soon. However, in other places, including China, there has been an erosion of religious freedom, growth in religious extremism, and the passage of laws that pose threats to the freedom of conscience and faith.

The agreement on the appointment of bishops in China is seen as the fruit of patient dialogue, but other issues need to be discussed in a sincere way. Among the issues that deserve Pope Leo’s attention, as suggested by China observers and Chinese Catholics, are rules and regulations that limit the practice of faith. The restrictions include minors being barred from religious services in some places; some bishops and priests experiencing controls and movement restrictions; the redrawing of the boundaries of dioceses by the government; the lack of training of bishops, priests and the laity; prohibited communication with foreign religious communities and so on. Moreover, local officials need to be instructed in the substance of the Sino-Vatican dialogue to change their attitude to, and treatment of, Christians and other religious adherents. 

This long list of obstructions to religious freedom will not be easy to overcome. Advancing religious freedom will test Pope Leo’s understanding and experience of the Global South, including Asia in general, and China in particular. 

Mary Yuen is the professor of social ethics at the Holy Spirit Seminary College of Theology and Philosophy and a researcher at the Holy Spirit Study Centre in Hong Kong.