Jean Charbonnier

The Chinese media gave little resonance to the signing of the agreement. It would seem a first point scored by Beijing against the Vatican. The position of underground Catholics is weakened. There is a suspicion that the Church sides with the strongest. But the purpose of Pope Francis is in the spirit of the Gospel. What will happen to the 30 or more underground bishops? And will underground priests have the freedom not to join the Patriotic Association? The distribution of the new dioceses creates greater control over the life of the Church and even more difficult living conditions for the underground. It is not convenient for China to break relations between the Vatican and Taiwan. From the missionary and sinologist Jean Charbonnier, of the Missions étrangères de Paris.