A provisional agreement that would see the Vatican recognise bishops chosen by the Chinese government has been met with controversy. The deal was struck in a meeting between Pope Francis and President Xi Jinping at the Vatican, but it is not yet clear whether China will accept it. However, opponents within the church say teaming with the Chinese regime undermines its reputation for defending human rights and Christian values. The relationship between the two sides collapsed in 1951 and China’s ruling atheist Communist party is currently clamping down on "illegal" Christian groups in the country.
A provisional agreement that would see the Vatican recognise bishops chosen by the Chinese government has been met with controversy. The deal appeals to Pope Francis' ambition to expand worldwide, with China officially counting six million Catholics. However, opponents within the church say teaming with the Chinese regime undermines its reputation for defending human rights and Christian values. The relationship between the two sides collapsed in 1951 and China’s ruling atheist Communist party is currently clamping down on "illegal" Christian groups in the country.