ven as the universal Church grieves the death of Pope Francis and prepares for the conclave to elect his successor, Chinese authorities are moving forward with episcopal appointments, signaling their determination to operate independently of Rome.
In the Diocese of Shanghai, Father Wu Jianlin was confirmed April 28 as auxiliary bishop, AsiaNews reported. The next day, officials in the Diocese of Xinxiang chose Father Li Janlin for the same role. Both selections were made through a state-managed process involving only a single candidate — an approach Beijing continues to use despite its 2018 agreement with the Vatican on episcopal appointments.
The controversial agreement, renewed in 2024, lets the Chinese government propose bishop candidates, with final approval left to the pope. While Rome frames it as a step toward unity, critics say it gives the Communist Party too much control and leaves faithful clergy exposed to state pressure.
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