Posted on 04/30/2025 9:33:35 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Even as the universal Church grieves the death of Pope Francis and prepares for the conclave to elect his successor, Chinese authorities are moving forward with episcopal appointments, signaling their determination to operate independently of Rome.
In the Diocese of Shanghai, Father Wu Jianlin was confirmed April 28 as auxiliary bishop, AsiaNews reported. The next day, officials in the Diocese of Xinxiang chose Father Li Janlin for the same role. Both selections were made through a state-managed process involving only a single candidate — an approach Beijing continues to use despite its 2018 agreement with the Vatican on episcopal appointments.
The controversial agreement, renewed in 2024, lets the Chinese government propose bishop candidates, with final approval left to the pope. While Rome frames it as a step toward unity, critics say it gives the Communist Party too much control and leaves faithful clergy exposed to state pressure.
Though these recent elections may have been planned before the pope’s death, the timing is striking. According to AsiaNews, the decisions reflect a clear message from the Chinese Communist Party: the sede vacante, the period where the papal office is vacant, is irrelevant to the Church in China.
Fr. Jianlin’s elevation consolidates the influence of Bishop Shen Bin in Shanghai, a bishop installed by Beijing and only later approved by Pope Francis “for the good of the diocese.”
In Xinxiang, the Holy See recognizes underground Bishop Joseph Zhang Weizhu, who has been repeatedly detained by authorities for ministering without state approval. Fr. Janlin, appointed by Chinese authorities, is known for having supported state policies that barred minors from attending Mass.
The contrast between China’s actions and the wider Church’s mourning is hard to miss. China notably refused to send a delegation to Pope Francis’ funeral. According to AsiaNews, a brief condolence message posted by China’s Patriotic Association was quickly removed and replaced by updates on Communist Party meetings and plans to “sinicize” Catholicism.
AsiaNews suggests these new appointments are not just routine but strategic — designed to test how the next pope will respond to China’s assertion of control over episcopal appointments. The conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor is set to begin in one week, and the Holy See’s approach to Beijing will be among the many challenges the new pontiff will inherit.
You can’t deal with the CCP
So just don’t.
The problem is there are millions of Catholic Christians in China. How does the Vatican handle this situation? Are they simply NOT going to appoint a suitable Bishop if the CCP disapproves, or should they appoint one WITH THE EXPLICIT APPROVAL of the CCP?
That is and has always been the dilemma?
Yes, poisonous fruits of Bergoglio’s twisted bough.
There are as many Catholics worldwide as there are Chinese in China.
Rock, meet hard place.
Last I heard the Pope’s China agreements were kept secret as to the details. Vague statements were made later and the let him off the hook about China’s advantages.
Have seen reports of rules such as no children allowed in church. High tech camera surveillance of Christians attending any services or meetings. Honoring of effigies of Chinese Communist leaders on equal footing with Jesus and Mary required in churches.
Plus the apparent infiltration by political types favoring Xi in any appointments of the Catholics in China.
The second is a report that CCP authorities in Henan province “forced Protestant churches to replace the Ten Commandments with Xi Jinping quotes,” changing the first commandment from, “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me,” (Exodus 20:3, KJV) to, “Resolutely guard against the infiltration of Western ideology.”
Two Christian pastors at the Congressional meeting testified on persecution in China, noting that many Chinese pastors and Christians are undeterred.
This was predictable when Francis ceded China the power to appoint Bishops in China.
Holy See are contemptible scum.
“...changing the first commandment from, “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me,” (Exodus 20:3, KJV) to, “Resolutely guard against the infiltration of Western ideology.”
So then according to them they would have to accept that Moses, as the one who wrote Exodus (or someone else from way back then) in the 15th century BC somehow had knowledge of “western ideology” 3500 years ago, thus proving only a God could provide knowledge that specific that far back to mere mortals.
So they should ask the CCP commies there “Are you ready to believe in God now and convert?”
I don’t want to be the one to ask the Commies that.
Good points.
I know me...
I would have others looking at me with their eyes saying “Don’t say it...” and yet I would, knowing I would get a week or two in solitary. Just me...
So what’s new?
The CCP does what it wants, when it wants: lie, cheat, steal, break the rules, nothing matters to them.
China doesn’t want anyone to believe in God. They want everyone to believe in the state. The only religion China believes in is the one with “Chinese characteristics.”
Exactly. The Catholic Church has to deal with Communist governments. Just as it had to deal with fascist and Nazi governments. Just as it had to deal with all sorts of unsavory kings and emperors in Christian, Muslim and pagan lands over the centuries.
Anti-Catholics think it means the church is corrupt. What it means is that the church lives in a fallen world, and yet must continue to serve its flock within that fallen context as best it can.
Why couldn’t Trump appoint Bishops?
Are you justifying communist China’s involvement ?
And the CCP is going to appoint puppet bishops. I don’t know what Francis was thinking, he must’ve known the Chinese would do such a thing.
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