Leo XIV Again Ratified the Chinese Government's Unilateral Decision to Ordain Bishop

On 15 October, Chinese state bishops ordained Father Joseph Wu Jianlin as auxiliary bishop in St. Ignatius Cathedral in Shanghai.

This appointment was made just one week after the death of Francis on 28 April. It was made without the approval of the Vatican, thus violating the secret agreement between the Holy See and Beijing on episcopal appointments.

Earlier in October, the Diocese of Shanghai had notified all priests and nuns in the diocese that they must attend a liturgy on 15 October, without specifying the reason.

According to today's Vatican bulletin, Pope Leo XIV ratified the Chinese appointment on 11 August.

The public was informed that the 2018 secret agreement guaranteed that the Pope would have 'the final say' in the appointment of bishops. However, the Vatican has almost always simply accepted Beijing's decisions.

Nevertheless, on 10 October, Cardinal Piero Parolin described the secret agreement as 'a positive step' on the sidelines of a conference at Urbaniana University. He said that 'the tentative agreement with China continues to move forward'. He considers it "a positive step regarding the appointment of bishops".

For decades, the Diocese of Shanghai under Bishop Ignatius Kung Pinmei was a symbol of resistance to the 'nationalisation' of the Church. Monsignor Kung spent thirty years in prison for his 'loyalty to Rome' and was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II.

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