The Vatican and Chinese authorities announced they have renewed a controversial agreement on episcopal appointments for a third time, while this time extending it for four years instead of the two-year period previously agreed upon.
A 22 October Vatican statement said: “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.
