June 11, 2025
On June 11, 2025, Joseph Lin Yuntuan, aged 73, was officially installed as the assistant Catholic bishop of Fuzhou, the capital of China's southeastern Fujian province. This appointment, recognized by both Pope Leo XIV and the Chinese government, underscores the ongoing collaboration between the Vatican and Beijing under the 2018 agreement on bishop appointments.
Bishop Lin's ecclesiastical journey is notable. Ordained in 2017 within the underground Catholic Church—a community that remained loyal to the Vatican despite lacking official recognition from the Chinese state—his recent installation marks a significant step toward reconciling the longstanding divide between China's underground and state-sanctioned Catholic communities. The Vatican views this development as a positive outcome of the 2018 accord, which, while granting the Chinese government a role in the nomination process, ensures that the Pope retains ultimate authority over episcopal appointments.
This agreement, last renewed in October 2024 for an additional four years, remains unpublished but is pivotal in aligning Church leadership within China's legal framework. The Vatican estimates that there are approximately 5 million Catholics among China's 1.4 billion population, highlighting the importance of such diplomatic efforts.
During his installation ceremony, Bishop Lin pledged to abide by Chinese laws and promote social harmony, reflecting the delicate balance the Church seeks to maintain in its relations with the Chinese state. Michel Chambon, a research fellow at the Asia Research Institute in Singapore, commented on the significance of this event, stating, "It is a willingness to support reconciliation instead of antagonism."
However, the Vatican-China agreement has not been without its critics. Some conservative Catholics argue that it cedes too much authority to China's communist regime, which has historically maintained strict control over religious practices. They fear that such compromises might undermine the Church's autonomy and the spiritual welfare of its adherents in China.
The appointment of Bishop Lin Yuntuan serves as a tangible manifestation of the Vatican's commitment to fostering unity within the Chinese Catholic community and improving diplomatic relations with Beijing. It also raises broader questions about the balance between religious freedom and state control, and how the Church navigates these complex dynamics in different geopolitical contexts.
As the Vatican continues to engage with China, this development prompts reflection on the future of religious diplomacy: How can the Church uphold its spiritual mission while engaging with governments that have historically been at odds with its teachings and practices?