The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday reiterated that ties between Taiwan and its sole European diplomatic ally, the Vatican, remain strong following a report by a Hong Kong media outlet that the Holy See and China have reached an agreement on the appointment of Chinese bishops, which is rumored to signal the forthcoming resumption of diplomatic relations between the two states.
The Chinese-language Hong Kong Apple Daily on Thursday reported that Hong Kong Cardinal John Tong Hon (湯漢) published an article on the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong’s Web site, saying that after years of efforts, the Catholic Church has “gradually gained the reconsideration of the Chinese government, which is now willing to reach an understanding with the Holy See on the question of the appointment of bishops in the Catholic Church in China and seek a mutually acceptable plan.”
“Even though the agreement’s concrete terms have not been made public, we believe that Pope Francis ... would not accept any agreement that would harm the integrity of faith of the universal church or the communion between the Catholic Church in China and the universal church,” the article said.
The newspaper said that the mentioning of the agreement indirectly confirmed the speculation, which has been circulating for the past six months, that the two sides have been negotiating an agreement.
The cardinal said that the agreement between the Holy See and Beijing “is an example of human dialogue, the beginning of the normalization of a mutual relationship.”
Responding to media queries about the report, the ministry emphasized the strong ties between Taiwan and the Vatican and the frequent interactions between their top echelons.
“We have been in close co-operation with the Vatican and officials from both sides have often paid visits to each other,” the ministry said, citing various examples of co-sponsored activities and humanitarian aid plans, as well as agreements signed in the past few years.
Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples secretary Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-fai (韓大輝) and the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family president Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia came to Taiwan last year, the ministry said, adding that Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses president Archbishop Piero Marini and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle visited Taiwan in May, while Apostolic Nuncio of Japan Archbishop Joseph Chennoth attended the presidential inauguration ceremony on May 20.
“We will continue to proactively participate in the international activities held by the Holy See and improve the bilateral relationship,” the ministry said.
The ministry added that it has been staying abreast of the dialogue between the Holy See and China and will continue to follow the developments.
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