Current:Home > MarketsHead of China’s state-backed Catholic church to visit Hong Kong amid strained Sino-Vatican relations-LoTradeCoin
Head of China’s state-backed Catholic church to visit Hong Kong amid strained Sino-Vatican relations
View Date:2024-12-23 22:51:44
HONG KONG (AP) — The leader of China’s Communist Party-sponsored version of the Catholic church will visit Hong Kong this month at the invitation of the city’s pope-appointed Roman Catholic cardinal, fostering dialogue as China-Vatican relations remain strained.
Joseph Li, the state-appointed archbishop of Beijing, will take a five-day trip to Hong Kong starting Nov. 14 at the invitation of the city’s newly appointed cardinal Stephen Chow, according to a statement from the Hong Kong diocese.
Chow made the invitation during his landmark trip to Beijing in April — the first visit to the Chinese capital by the city’s bishop in nearly three decades — in a symbolic gesture that experts said could strengthen the fragile relationship between China and the Vatican.
During Li’s visit, he will meet with Chow and “different diocesan offices to promote exchanges and interactions between the two dioceses,” the statement said, without elaborating.
Beijing and the Vatican severed diplomatic ties in 1951 following the Communist Party’s rise to power and the expulsion of foreign priests. Since the break in ties, Catholics in China have been divided between those who belong to an official, state-sanctioned church and those in an underground church loyal to the pope. The Vatican recognizes members of both as Catholics but claims the exclusive right to choose bishops.
The Vatican and China signed an accord in 2018 over the thorny issue of bishop nominations, but Beijing has violated it. Most recently Pope Francis was forced to accept the unilateral appointment of a new bishop of Shanghai.
Francis in September insisted that the Vatican’s relations with China were going well but said work must still be done to show Beijing that the Catholic Church isn’t beholden to a foreign power.
The 2018 agreement has been harshly criticized by Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen, who was detained in May last year on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces under a Beijing-imposed national security law that jailed or silenced many activists. He was released on bail and has yet to be formally charged, but he and five others were fined in a separate case last November for failing to register a now-defunct fund set up to help arrested protesters.
veryGood! (53)
Related
- She was found dead while hitchhiking in 1974. An arrest has finally been made.
- Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band still rock, quake and shake after 50 years
- AP PHOTOS: Church services help Georgia residents mourn victims of school shootings
- Roblox set to launch paid videogames on its virtual platform
- Olympic Skier Lindsey Vonn Coming Out of Retirement at 40
- Judge orders change of venue in trial of man charged with killing 4 University of Idaho students
- Mariah Carey Speaks Out After Her Mom and Sister Die on the Same Day
- Tropical Storm Francine forms off Mexico, aiming for the Louisiana coast
- Who is Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida congressman Donald Trump picked to serve as attorney general?
- Sky's Angel Reese to have wrist surgery Tuesday, be in cast for six weeks
Ranking
- Could trad wives, influencers have sparked the red wave among female voters?
- Disney Launches 2024 Family Holiday Pajamas: Unwrap the Magic With Must-Have Styles for Everyone
- Why Amy Adams Invites Criticism for Nightb--ch Movie
- Is soy milk good for you? What you need to know about this protein-rich, plant-based milk.
- Repair Hair Damage In Just 90 Seconds With This Hack from WNBA Star Kamilla Cardoso
- Montgomery’s 1-yard touchdown run in OT lifts Lions to 26-20 win over Rams
- Black borrowers' mortgage applications denied twice as often as whites', report shows
- Kathy Bates Announces Plans to Retire After Acting for More Than 50 Years
Recommendation
-
Five best fits for Alex Bregman: Will Astros homegrown star leave as free agent?
-
Judge orders psychological evaluation for white homeowner who shot Ralph Yarl
-
Texas parents gain new tools to control their teen’s social media use
-
Colorado rattlesnake 'mega-den' webcam shows scores of baby snakes born in recent weeks
-
2025 NFL Draft order: Updated first round picks after Week 10 games
-
Joe Manganiello and Girlfriend Caitlin O'Connor Make Marvelous Red Carpet Appearance
-
The Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale Just Started: Score Rare 70% Off Deals Before They Sell Out
-
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's BFF Matt Damon Prove Their Bond Is Strong Amid Her Divorce