What the Vatican Deal Would Mean for China's Catholics
According to a senior Vatican source, China and the city-state will soon reach a historic deal regarding the appointment of bishops – something of a breakthrough after 70 years of severed relations following the country’s atheist status imposed by the Communist Party takeover in 1949. Here’s everything you need to know.
Background
Though the agreement would be considered a distinct change in relations between the two parties, not everyone cheered for the upcoming agreement – concerns rose that the long-existing disputes over who can appoint bishops in the country may end up with the surrender of the Vatican, which would put the religious freedom of millions of underground Chinese Catholics in jeopardy.
China’s underground churches, and what would happen to them
But for many Chinese Christians, going to government-controlled churches is contradictory to their religious beliefs. Thus half of Catholics and over 70% of Protestants worship in underground churches, which carry on their activities in spite of increasing harassment by the authorities.
Just days before the news of the deal got out, the Vatican asked two underground bishops in China to step aside for the government-appointed bishops, one of whom had been excommunicated by the Vatican, to fill in their positions. Cardinal and former Bishop of Hong Kong Joseph Zen stated his belief that the Vatican is “selling out the Catholic Church in China”. There are also concerns that the upcoming agreement would mean more government control over China’s underground churches.
“A symbiotic relation”
Dr. Chen Tsung-ming, research director at the Ferdinand Verbiest Institute in Belgium, believed that the Vatican’s eagerness to negotiate with China is because of the comparatively slow growth of the Catholics in the country. Brent Fulton, author of the book China’s Urban Christians, suggested that the official and underground churches have a symbiotic relation: the official churches are rich in resources like the Bible and training opportunities, while the underground churches are more active in socializing with young people and migrant workers.
Flustered Taiwan
While the Vatican is the only European state that maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, there were voices that the agreement between the Vatican and Beijing is going to put Taiwan in a very awkward position. After Panama cut its long-standing diplomatic ties with Taiwan last year, the region now only has 20 diplomatic allies, most of which are Latin American Catholic countries.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
- Post ID: 1846135
- Sponsored? No
- View Payload