Chinese priest sees Sino-Vatican agreement as 'realistic response' (Fides)

In brief

Father Paul Han Qingping views the 2018 provisional agreement between the Vatican and China regarding the appointment of bishops as a historical attempt to balance national sovereignty with the universality of the Church.

In an article published by the Pontifical Mission Societies news agency, Fides, Father Han, a Church history teacher at the Hebei major seminary, described the agreement as a realistic response to the political realities in China. He noted that while the agreement is not a perfect institutional design, it acknowledges that bishop appointments in China are tied to the state's political structure and the Catholic principles of apostolic succession and communion with the Pope.

Father Han suggested that the Sinicization of religion should involve a deep mutual shaping between faith and Chinese civilization rather than a simple adaptation to culture or complete assimilation. He stated that the Chinese Church requires a Chinese expression of Christian faith at theological, spiritual, and philosophical levels, rather than just using Chinese liturgical or architectural styles.