The Vatican confirmed the installation of a new Catholic bishop in China on Wednesday, signaling the continuation of its appointment agreement with Beijing under Pope Leo XIV.
Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan, 73, was officially appointed as assistant bishop of Fuzhou, Fujian province. The appointment falls under a controversial 2018 Vatican-China accord that allows Chinese officials some input in bishop nominations—while the pope retains final say.
Michel Chambon, an expert on the Chinese Church, said the move suggests both sides are committed to dialogue over division. “It shows a desire for reconciliation rather than conflict,” he noted.
Critics, particularly conservative Catholics, argue the deal gives too much influence to the Chinese Communist Party, which has tightly controlled religion since 1949. Still, the Vatican maintains that the agreement helps bridge the divide between China’s underground Catholic community and the state-sanctioned church.
Lin was previously ordained in the underground church in 2017. The Vatican welcomed the Chinese government’s recognition of his role, calling it a “significant step” in improving ties.
As part of the installation, Lin pledged to uphold Chinese law and promote social harmony, according to reports from China’s Catholic Patriotic Association.
China is home to an estimated 5 million Catholics in a population of 1.4 billion. The Vatican’s agreement with China was renewed in October 2024 for another four years, though its details remain undisclosed.