The Chinese Catholic Church in Changing Times

Abstract

In September 2018, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had reached a provisional agreement with Beijing on the appointment of bishops in China. The Vatican expressed the hope that this breakthrough would lead to further improvements in its relations with Beijing. In a landmark in the history of the Catholic Church in contemporary China, the two sides agreed to allow for the ordination of bishops agreeable to both the Vatican and China. This book provides readers with the information and insights needed to better understand Sino-Vatican relations and the rationale behind the decisions taken by Pope Francis. It includes articles that discuss the Chinese Church as a whole and those that focus on particular aspects of its activities, including diplomacy, politics, leadership, pilgrims, and youths.