In a landmark development, the Vatican has announced the appointment of the first Chinese bishop under Pope Leo XIV, signaling continuity in the Holy See’s controversial agreement with Beijing on episcopal appointments.
Joseph Lin Yuntuan has been named the Auxiliary Bishop of Fuzhou, the capital city of Fujian Province in southeastern China. The nomination was officially made by Pope Leo XIV on June 5, just weeks after his election to the papacy on May 8.
According to a statement released by the Vatican on Wednesday, the Holy See expressed “satisfaction” with China’s recognition of the new bishop, describing it as “further fruit of dialogue” between the Catholic Church and Chinese authorities.
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“This event is an important step in the communal journey of the Fuzhou diocese,” the statement read.
Despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties between Beijing and the Vatican, the two sides signed a historic provisional agreement in 2018 granting shared authority in the appointment of bishops in mainland China. The deal was renewed in October 2024 for another four years, despite widespread criticism.
The text of the Vatican-China accord remains undisclosed, but its implications have stirred debate within the Catholic Church. Critics argue it gives the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) undue influence over religious matters and jeopardizes the autonomy of the Catholic Church in China.
China is home to an estimated 12 million Catholics, many of whom remain split between state-approved churches and underground churches loyal to the Vatican.
The latest appointment comes in the wake of the death of Pope Francis on April 21, after 12 years of leading the global Catholic community. In the period between Francis’ death and Pope Leo’s election, Beijing proceeded unilaterally with the appointment of two bishops in the dioceses of Shanghai and Xinxiang, raising eyebrows in the global Catholic community.
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Analysts view the move as a strategic effort by the CCP to fill the power vacuum and reinforce its authority over church leadership during the interregnum.
Nonetheless, the recognition of Bishop Lin’s appointment suggests that Pope Leo XIV is prepared to uphold the diplomatic and ecclesiastical path set by his predecessor, maintaining engagement with China in hopes of deeper religious integration and reduced persecution of Chinese Catholics.
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