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5d ago

Pope Leo XIV Names Bishop in Fuzhou Under Continued Vatican-China Accord

His nomination of Joseph Lin Yuntuan, recognized by Beijing on June 11, underscores efforts to reconcile China’s divided Catholic communities.

Pope Leo XIV holds his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Leo XIV waves at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Leo XIV meets bishops during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Leo XIV holds general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican June 11, 2025. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/ File Photo

Overview

  • Pope Leo XIV made his first bishop appointment under the 2018 Vatican-China agreement by selecting Joseph Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou on June 5.
  • Beijing formally recognized Lin’s appointment on June 11 pursuant to the accord, with Chinese authorities providing input into nominations and the pope retaining veto power.
  • Lin, who was ordained a bishop in the underground church in 2017, took possession of the Fuzhou diocese in a ceremony organized by the state-run Catholic Patriotic Association.
  • During his installation, he swore to abide by Chinese laws and safeguard social harmony, reflecting the government’s conditions for religious leaders.
  • The Vatican defends the accord as essential to healing a decades-long split between the state-supervised church and underground Catholics despite criticism from conservative faithful over possible Communist Party influence.