China-Holy See relations expected to develop in 2010

Our Lady of China

China Church observers in and outside the Mainland expect the country's dialogue with the Holy See to continue to develop slowly, in pragmatic ways, during 2010. Ren Yanli, former research director on the Catholic Church for the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, says China is keen to keep a line of communication open with the Vatican but would not rush to establish official ties.

"Compared with the Tibet or Xinjiang separatist movements, the Catholic Church causes less trouble, so the Chinese government has no urgency in establishing diplomatic relations," observed Ren.

Kwun Ping-hung, a Hong Kong-based China Church observer, says China-Holy See relations progressed in 2009. He applauded the fact that the two sides avoided disputes over the authority to appoint bishops. Beijing and the Vatican seemed to have similar choices on bishop candidates in recent years, Kwun added.

Courtesy: Agenzia Fides - www.fides.org