By Carol Glatz, OSV
Chinese authorities recognized Pope Leo XIV's appointment of an auxiliary bishop in Fujian province, China, the Vatican announced June 11.
It was the first appointment of a bishop by the Pope in China since his election on May 8.
In accordance with the provisional agreement between the Vatican and China on the appointment of bishops, Pope Leo had appointed Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan, 73, auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou. That appointment was recognized and the bishop was installed on June 11, the Vatican said.
The agreement for the appointment of bishops
The Vatican and the Chinese government renewed their agreement on the appointment of bishops in October 2024, extending it from two to four years. The interim agreement, first signed in 2018, outlines procedures to ensure that Catholic bishops elected by the Catholic community in China receive the approval of the pope prior to their ordination or investiture. However, the agreement has never been published .
Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, commented on the investiture ceremony held in the cathedral of Fuzhou: "We are pleased to know that today, on the occasion of Bishop Lin's installation as auxiliary bishop, his episcopal ministry is also recognized for the purposes of civil law."
"This event is one more fruit of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese authorities and is an important step in the diocese's journey of communion," wrote Bruni.
Fides, the Vatican news agency, stated: "The official recognition of Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Fuzhou was an event long awaited by the local community. Until now, Chinese authorities and government agencies had not recognized Bishop Lin's episcopal office." He received his episcopal ordination in December 2017.
The official inauguration ceremony was presided over by Bishop Vincent Zhan Silu of Mindong, who also participated in the Synod of Bishops on synodality in Rome in October 2024. And the Mass was presided over by Bishop Joseph Cai Bingrui of Fuzhou, reports Fides.
The concelebration was attended by several bishops from the dioceses of Fujian province: in addition to Bishop Zhan Silu, Bishop Lin Yuntang and Bishop Wu Yishun of Minbei, together with about 80 priests and more than 200 religious and lay people.
