Vatican Wants to Strengthen Diplomatic Relations with China
In contrast to before, the Vatican began to establish warmer relations with countries with communism ideology.
This article has been translated using AI. See Original .
About AI Translated Article
Please note that this article was automatically translated using Microsoft Azure AI, Open AI, and Google Translation AI. We cannot ensure that the entire content is translated accurately. If you spot any errors or inconsistencies, contact us at hotline@kompas.id, and we'll make every effort to address them. Thank you for your understanding.
Shanghai Bishop Joseph Shen Bin (left) shakes hands with Vatican Foreign Minister Cardinal Pietro Parolin in an international conference organized by the Pontifical Urban University, in Rome, Italy, on May 21, 2024.
ROME, WEDNESDAY — The Vatican wants to establish a permanent office in China in an effort to strengthen diplomatic ties< /a> with Beijing. So far, the Vatican's relations with China have been cold. However, in recent years, the Vatican under Pope Francis has tried to improve relations.
Vatican Foreign Minister Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressed the Holy See's desire to strengthen diplomatic ties with China when speaking at an international conference to celebrate the First Council of the Catholic Church. in China, hosted by the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome, Tuesday (21/5/2024).
"We have long hoped to have a stable presence in China," said Parolin, who represented Pope Francis at the conference. The conference was a rare opportunity to hold high-level talks between both parties.
Also read: The Vatican does not want to be led by the US regarding its relations with China
According to Parolin, the Vatican can consider a new diplomatic formula with China, a diplomatic formula different from what the Vatican has done elsewhere. He stated that the relationship with China may be different from that with Vietnam.
Vatican Foreign Minister Cardinal Pietro Parolin spoke at an international conference to celebrate the First Council of the Catholic Church in China, which was held at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, Italy on May 21, 2024.
One of them is the possibility of the Vatican recognizing the Chinese Communist Party-controlled Bishops' Council in China. According to Parolin, this agenda is still in process. "The form of diplomatic relations can vary, don't focus on just one form," he said.
Warming
Since 2009, the Vatican began to establish warmer relations with communist countries. This step represents a significant change compared to before, when the Vatican had no diplomatic relations with countries with communist ideologies.
In 2023, the Vatican obtained permission to open a Permanent Papal Representation in Vietnam, which also follows a communist ideology. Prior to warming up, Vatican-Vietnam diplomatic relations were cut off in 1975 after the Communist Party of Vietnam took control of the country.
Bishop Shanghai Joseph Shen Bin spoke at an international conference to celebrate the First Council of the Catholic Church in China, held at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, Italy, on May 21, 2024.
Present at the conference was Bishop Joseph Shen Bin from Shanghai. Shen Bin's ordination as Bishop of Shanghai in 2023 was controversial as he was appointed by Chinese authorities without consultation with the Vatican.
The appointment of a bishop without the permission of the Pope is a violation of the Vatican-Beijing agreement in 2018. One of the contents of the agreement states that the appointment and relocation of bishops in China can only be carried out by the Pope or after consultation with the Vatican. Since the agreement was made, the Vatican has accused China of committing two violations, namely by appointing a bishop without consulting or seeking the approval of the Vatican.
We have long hoped to have a stable presence in China.
However, in January 2024, a bishop appointed by Pope Francis was consecrated in a diocese in China. The ordination of Taddeo Wang Yuessheng (58) as bishop in the Diocese of Zhengzhou in Henan Province marked the thawing of the Beijing-Vatican relationship.
Pope Francis prayed in front of the newly-appointed Cardinals during the consistory at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on August 27th, 2022. Pope Francis announced that he had chosen 21 new cardinals, including the bishops of Jerusalem and Hong Kong.
Conservative Catholic groups criticize the bishops' agreement as a form of "surrender" by the Vatican to China. The Vatican denies this and calls it an imperfect way, but necessary to guarantee all Catholics in China. It is currently estimated that there are 10-12 million Catholics in China.
Also read: Pope Francis' Greetings of Unity and Peace to China
So far, the Vatican has had an unofficial office in Hong Kong. However, the two representatives in that office do not carry out the functions or duties of a state representative and do not have the authority to meet with government officials.
In a video message, Pope Francis said that the Catholic Church has made progress in China and other places through unexpected channels. This progress has even occurred in trying and challenging moments that test patience.
People gather next to the Christmas tree at Xishiku Catholic Church in Beijing, China, Sunday (24/12/2023).
Until now, Beijing has implemented a policy of "sinicization" of religion, which aims to limit foreign influences, including religion, and enforce obedience to the Communist Party.
Professor Zheng Xiaojun, keynote speaker at the conference and Director of the Institute of World Religions at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, praised Pope Francis' efforts to reach out to China. However, contrary to accusations from the world in general, he stated that religious freedom was fully guaranteed in his country.
Also read: Pope Francis Calls the Uighur Minority a Persecuted People
This is denied by outside observers. In its latest Report on Religious Freedom, the Catholic aid organization Aid to the Church in Need placed China as one of the worst violators of religious freedom.
"The prospect of religious freedom remains negative due to ongoing oppression and persecution, and with the increasing sophistication of surveillance technology, this will only become more disruptive and widespread," as stated in the report.
China's response
Responding to that, Spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang Wenbin, stated that China is willing to cooperate with the Vatican to enhance diplomatic relations. "We are willing to cooperate with the Vatican to promote sustainable improvement in China-Vatican relations," he said.
Mongolian honor guards line up at Ulaanbaatar Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Mongolia, Friday (1/9/2023), ahead of the arrival of Pope Francis.
Wang added that the two sides have maintained in-depth communication regarding bilateral relations and international hot issues.
On the other hand, Taiwan is anxious amid the warming diplomatic relations between China and the Vatican. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan stated that they are closely monitoring the dynamics.
Also read: Pope Announces 21 New Cardinals, Including Hong Kong-Jerusalem Cardinals
This is mainly because Beijing has repeatedly violated the 2018 agreement with the Vatican that allows for the appointment of bishops. This appointment issue has been a long-standing source of tension between the Vatican and the Communist Party leadership.
The newly appointed Bishop of Hong Kong, Stephen Chow (right), spoke at a press conference with Cardinal John Tong (left) in Hong Kong on May 18, 2021.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan stated that Taipei continues to promote cooperation with the Vatican and the Catholic Church in various fields, such as humanitarian assistance and jointly defending the core values of religious freedom.
"We understand that the Holy See hopes to promote freedom of belief and the rights of Chinese Catholic communities, and has openly stated its desire to send representatives to China," the statement said.
Also read: Suspected of Helping Pro-democracy Activists, Hong Kong Church Official Detained
Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Environment, Shih Wen-chen, who led a delegation to the Vatican seminar on climate change this month, met with Pope Francis, demonstrating the deep friendship between Taiwan and the Vatican.
It is said that the Vatican sent an envoy, Ambassador to the Philippines Charles John Brown, to attend the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. "Hopefully, we will continue to receive your support," Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said to Brown during their meeting at the presidential office just before the event. (Reuters/AP)
