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China bishop gets Pope's approval China installs Pope-backed bishop
(about 3 hours later)
A new Roman Catholic bishop of Beijing is being consecrated in the Chinese capital, the first for more than 50 years to have the approval of the Pope. A new Roman Catholic bishop of Beijing has been consecrated in the Chinese capital, the first for over 50 years to have tacit prior approval of the Pope.
Father Joseph Li Shan's predecessor, who died earlier this year, was appointed by the government-controlled Catholic Church in 1979. Father Joseph Li Shan, 42, was made bishop at a ceremony in a cathedral near Tiananmen Square.
Until recently China's Church appointed bishops without Vatican's approval. His predecessor, Fu Tieshan, was appointed by the government-controlled Catholic Church without consulting the Vatican, as has been China's habit.
The change comes after a recent letter from Pope Benedict to Chinese Catholics seeking reconciliation. But a recent letter from the Pope has led to some thawing of bilateral ties.
There has been no formal approval from the Vatican over the appointment.
But when it was announced in July, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, said that Father Li was "very good, well-suited", calling his appointment "a positive sign".
Pope's letterPope's letter
China severed ties with the Vatican in 1951, amid anger at the Vatican's recognition of Taiwan.China severed ties with the Vatican in 1951, amid anger at the Vatican's recognition of Taiwan.
The Pope's letter to Chinese Catholics has eased tensionsThe Pope's letter to Chinese Catholics has eased tensions
Relations between China and the Vatican have been strained in recent years due to Beijing's insistence that the official Patriotic Church has the right to appoint bishops without Rome's approval. The country's estimated eight to 12 million Catholics are split between the Beijing-backed Patriotic Church and an underground Church which remains loyal to the Vatican.
Relations between the two sides have been strained due to Beijing's insistence that the Patriotic Church has the right to appoint bishops without Rome's approval.
The Vatican excommunicated two bishops last year for being illegally ordained.The Vatican excommunicated two bishops last year for being illegally ordained.
China estimates eight to 12 million Catholics are split between the state Church and an underground Church which is loyal to the Vatican. But Pope Benedict XVI has sought to improve relations between the two sides.
However, Pope Benedict XVI has sought to improve relations between China and Rome, and sent a letter to Chinese Catholics last month, urging reconciliation between the two groups. In June he sent a letter to Chinese Catholics urging reconciliation and offering dialogue with the Chinese authorities.
The letter stressed that the Vatican is open to negotiations for resuming diplomatic relations, and has accepted the authority of many bishops appointed unilaterally by the Patriotic Church. He also stressed that Rome had already accepted the full authority of many of the bishops appointed unilaterally by the Beijing-tolerated Church.
But, says the BBC's David Willey in Rome, as recently as last year there were bitter exchanges between Rome and Beijing.
The Pope expressed "profound sorrow" at the decision of the Chinese to appoint new bishops without referring to Rome and the Beijing government accused the Vatican of interfering in China's internal affairs.