October 22, 2022
MOFA position on announcement by Holy See and China concerning extension of their provisional agreement on bishop appointments by another two years
The Holy See announced on October 22 that its provisional agreement on bishop appointments with China would again be extended by a further two years. The Holy See has publicly stated on multiple occasions that this accord deals with pastoral issues, aims to advance Chinese Catholic adherents’ right to a normal faith life, and does not touch on diplomatic or political matters. The Republic of China (Taiwan) attaches great importance to this solemn commitment by the Holy See.
The position of the government of Taiwan on the said provisional agreement has not changed. As a country that has full respect for freedom of religion, Taiwan hopes that the accord will help reverse the increasing deterioration of religious freedom in China. The Chinese government has recently stepped up measures to persecute local Catholic communities. As religious freedom and human rights continue to deteriorate in China, Catholics who are loyal to their beliefs and to the Vatican and who are unwilling to submit to the Chinese Communist Party’s control have suffered greater oppression. Many bishops and other clergy have been forced to join the CCP-controlled Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. The so-called sinicization of religion has turned into the nationalization and further into the CCP control of religion. With the CCP’s dominion extending to all spheres, Chinese Catholics face formidable challenges to both conscience and freedom of belief.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will closely monitor related developments and continue to work with the Holy See and the Catholic Church to enhance humanitarian cooperation and jointly safeguard the core value of religious freedom. Taiwan will contribute to the global advancement of religious freedom and steadfastly deepen its enduring diplomatic partnership with the Vatican based on shared ideals.