Why is the Vatican Negotiating with China?

For several years delegations have shuffled between Beijing and Rome in the hope of reaching an agreement over how to appoint Catholic bishops in China. Recent rumours suggest that a deal is closer than ever. But what are the roots of the disagreement between the Vatican and the Communist Party? How could both sides benefit from resolving it?

Catholics in China are required to worship in closely watched, registered churches run by priests chosen by the party. The Vatican is fairly pragmatic about this, even though devout Catholics bridle at the fact that an atheist ruling party is picking their clergy. Over the years careful diplomacy has ensured that in most cases these state-sanctioned churches are supervised by bishops whom both the Vatican and the party consider acceptable. Nevertheless, there are still some government-backed bishops whom the Vatican finds intolerable. There are also many bishops whom the Vatican has appointed without the consent of the Communists. Perhaps half of all Chinese Catholics attend masses celebrated by these “underground” clergy. Participants risk arrest and many other flavours of persecution.