Communiqué on extension of the Provisional Agreement between Holy See and China

In a communiqé released on Thursday the Holy See Press Office writes that "upon the expiration of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China regarding the appointment of Bishops...the two Parties have agreed to extend the experimental implementation phase of the Provisional Agreement for another two years."

Thursday marks two years since the Provisional Agreement, which was signed in Beijing on 22 September 2018, took effect. The conditions of the Agreement were that it would last two years, therefore expiring on Thursday. 

The communiqué reads that "the Holy See considers the initial application of the Agreement – which is of great ecclesial and pastoral value – to have been positive, thanks to good communication and cooperation between the Parties on the matters agreed upon, and intends to pursue an open and constructive dialogue for the benefit of the life of the Catholic Church and the good of Chinese people."