A new Chinese bishop has been installed by Pope Leo XIV, signalling that a controversial Vatican accord with Beijing over Catholic bishop appointments will continue under his papacy.
Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan, 73, was appointed by Leo as an assistant in Fuzhou, capital of Fuijan province.
The announcement was made within the framework of a diplomatic deal originally struck in 2018 that gives Chinese officials some input into papal appointments.
Some conservative Catholics have criticised the Vatican-China deal, which was negotiated under the late Pope Francis, saying it gives too much influence to China's ruling communists, who have kept a tight rein on religious practice since taking power in 1949.
The Vatican stresses that the pope retains final decision-making power, and says the accord resolves a decades-long split between an underground church swearing loyalty to the Vatican, and the state-supervised Catholic Patriotic Association.
Lin had previously been ordained a bishop in the underground church in 2017. The Vatican said in a brief statement that it had "learned with satisfaction" that his role had been officially recognised by the government.
"This event constitutes another fruit of the dialogue between the Holy See and Chinese authorities and is a significant step," it said.
Michel Chambon, an academic who has written extensively on Christianity in Asia and the Chinese church, said the installation indicates that both parties want to continue with the accord.
"It is a willingness to support reconciliation instead of antagonism," Mr Chambon said.
As part of Wednesday's ceremony, Lin swore to abide by Chinese laws and to safeguard social harmony, according to a report on social media provided by the Catholic Patriotic Association.
Across China there are about 5 million Catholics in a total population of 1.4 billion, the Vatican estimates.
The Vatican and China last renewed their accord in October 2024, for a further period of four years.
The text of the deal has never been published, but only described by diplomatic officials.
Reuters/ABC
