Pope Francis said this week that the agreement allows for a discussion with China on the naming of bishops but that ultimately the pope will decide. In a letter Wednesday to the Chinese faithful, the pope urged Chinese Catholics to trust him. With the Chinese church in need of at least 18 new bishops, the agreement can help reduce the chances of further schism, he said. That will likely only happen after the Vatican obtains further assurances about the rights of Chinese Catholics to worship unimpeded, observers say. Yet some Chinese Catholics do see signs for hope.

Source: National Post September 27, 2018 02:15 UTC