After “appropriate consultation and assessment,” the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China have agreed to extend the Provisional Agreement on the appointment of Bishops for another 4 years.
Holy See Release: In light of the consensus reached for an effective application of the Provisional Agreement regarding the Appointment of Bishops, after appropriate consultation and assessment, the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China have agreed to extend further its validity for four years from the present date.
The Vatican Party remains dedicated to furthering the respectful and constructive dialogue with the Chinese Party, in view of the further development of bilateral relations for the benefit of the Catholic Church in China and the Chinese people as a whole.
The new signature affixed by both parties on the Provisional Agreement extends its validity for another four years, and follows the first renewal for a two-year period, which took place exactly two years ago, on October 22, 2020.
New Provisions
The Provisional Agreement ended decades of episcopal ordinations without papal consent, leading to a radically changed scenario in the last six years. Since then, about ten bishops have been appointed and consecrated, and Beijing officially recognized the public role of several previously unrecognized bishops.
A sign of the new cooperation is also evidenced by the presence of bishops from mainland China at Synods in the Vatican and other meetings in Europe and America, as well as that of young people at last year's World Youth Day in Lisbon, and a general participation of Chinese faithful in Apostolic Journeys made by Pope Francis to the East in recent years.
Translation in Chinese
圣座和中华人民共和国，鉴于富有成效地实施主教任命临时协议达成的共识，经过适当的协商与评估后，同意自即日起将临时协议的有效期再延长四年。
梵方愿意与中方继续进行相互尊重和建设性的对话，以发展双边关系，造福中国天主教会及全体中国人民。
Sources: Vatican News and https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/10/22/0813/01615.html
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