If you missed the Rosary for Peace in the Middle East, you can still watch it and join us in prayer here.
Parolin acknowledges China–Vatican deal is “imperfect” but urges continued dialogue
The Holy See’s secretary of state said Rome wants to continue the process begun with Beijing on the appointment of bishops and “perfect what is imperfect,” as international concerns persist over religious freedom in China.
THE CHURCH IN CHINA
Ana Paula Morales (Poli)
11/6/20263 min read
PHOTO CAPTION: A Catholic church in China amid the city’s traditional architecture. Photo: Quan-You Zhang / Unsplash. Illustrative image.
VATICAN CITY — Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s secretary of state, acknowledged Thursday that aspects of the Vatican’s agreement with China on the appointment of bishops could be improved, but defended the decision to continue dialogue with Beijing.
“All agreements are imperfect. And so is the one with China,” Parolin told reporters at the Pontifical Urban University, where he attended an international conference marking the centenary of the consecration of the first six Chinese bishops.
According to Vatican News, the cardinal explained that reaching an understanding had not been easy because of the complex circumstances in which both sides had to work.
He nevertheless insisted that the Holy See wants to keep the path of dialogue open.
“The path remains open,” he said. “We are moving forward, trying to perfect what is imperfect.”
The Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China on the appointment of bishops was originally signed in 2018 and subsequently extended. The most recent renewal, agreed in 2024, extended it through October 2028.
The full text of the agreement has not been published.
The Holy See has explained on several occasions that its purpose is essentially pastoral: to foster the communion of Chinese bishops with the Successor of Peter and contribute to the unity of the Catholic Church in the country.
Parolin said episcopal appointments continue to follow the mechanisms established in the agreement and require the pope’s approval.
A fully Chinese Church in communion with Rome
The secretary of state’s remarks coincided with Leo XIV’s message to the conference “The Face of the Universal Church in China: One Hundred Years Since the Consecration of the First Chinese Bishops.”
In his official video message, the pope recalled the episcopal ordination of six Chinese priests by Pius XI in St. Peter’s Basilica on October 28, 1926.
That event, he said, showed that the Church could take deep root in Chinese culture without losing communion with the universal Church.
Leo XIV stressed that Church unity does not mean uniformity, but a communion capable of embracing different peoples, cultures and traditions.
For Parolin, that anniversary demonstrates precisely that being fully Chinese and remaining deeply united with the pope are not incompatible realities.
The commemoration, he explained, highlights “the dimension of communion with the universal Church”: being Chinese “with all the specific characteristics that entails” while remaining “in deep communion with the pope and the universal Church.”
A path of dialogue that continues to pose challenges
The agreement between Beijing and the Holy See has drawn differing assessments since it was signed.
Rome has stressed the importance of maintaining a channel of dialogue to support Catholic communities and facilitate episcopal appointments recognized by both the Holy See and Chinese authorities.
When the agreement was renewed in 2024, the Holy See said it wanted to continue a “respectful and constructive” dialogue with China “for the good of the Catholic Church in the country and of the Chinese people as a whole.”
At the same time, various international organizations have expressed concern over restrictions affecting unregistered religious communities.
A Human Rights Watch report published in April 2026 documented surveillance, restrictions on movement, detention and other measures targeting Catholic clergy and faithful outside officially recognized religious structures.
The Chinese government rejects accusations of religious persecution and maintains that religious freedom is protected under the country’s laws.
Critics call for stronger safeguards
Among those who have expressed reservations about the agreement is Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid, an organization that documents cases involving religious freedom in China.
In May 2025, ChinaAid urged the Holy See to undertake a thorough review of the agreement, arguing that troubling conditions persisted for some bishops, priests and Catholic communities.
Those criticisms are part of a broader debate over how to combine diplomatic dialogue, ecclesial communion and effective protection of religious freedom.
“Perfecting what is imperfect”
Parolin’s remarks Thursday show that the Holy See recognizes the difficulties but continues to consider dialogue the path with the greatest potential for progress.
“There have been no changes,” the secretary of state said, explaining Rome’s position. “The appointment of bishops takes place in accordance with the provisions of the agreement, and the pope has given his approval.”
Parolin added that the gathering at the Urban University represents a “sign of hope” and reiterated that Rome would continue along this path.
“We are moving forward, trying to perfect what is imperfect,” he said.
The challenge will be to find ways for the Church in China to grow with an authentically local identity, preserve full communion with Rome and, at the same time, respond to continuing pastoral and religious freedom concerns.
