Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
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The Vatican on Saturday announced a historic accord with China on the appointment of Bishops in the Communist country as Pope Francis recognised seven Beijing-appointed Bishops in a move that could pave the way for a rapprochement between the Catholic Church and the world’s most populous country. Beijing immediately said it hoped for better relations, while Taiwan said its ties with the Vatican were safe despite the deal with China. No diplomatic ties There are an estimated 12 million Catholics in China divided between a government-run association whose clergy are chosen by the Communist Party and an unofficial church which swears allegiance to the Vatican. The Vatican has not had diplomatic relations with Beijing since 1951. “The preliminary agreement with China… concerns the nomination of Bishops, a question of great importance for the life of the Church, and creates the conditions for greater collaboration at the bilateral level,” said the Vatican. Pope Francis meanwhile recognised seven Bishops who had been ordained in China without the approval of the Holy See, his office said. The Vatican is one of only 17 countries around the world that recognises Taipei instead of Beijing but Pope Francis has sought to improve ties with China since he took office in 2013.
