Lord David Alton Condemns Renewal of Sino-Vatican Agreement

Michael Haynes has an exclusive interview with British Lord David Alton, published at Life Site, concerning the recent renewal of the secretive Sino-Vatican agreement that had already been criticized by Cardinal Zen, human rights activists, and China experts.

Exclusive: British Lord Condemns Renewal
of Vatican Deal with Communist China

The following is an AI-produced summary of the article: ¹

• The Vatican has renewed a secretive agreement with China on the appointment of bishops, raising concerns about increased repression of Catholics in China.
• Critics like Steven Mosher argue the agreement pretends cooperation while empowering China’s Communist Party to control church leadership.
• The agreement is officially secret but is believed to recognize the state-approved church, allowing CCP bishop appointments with purported Vatican veto power.
• Human rights advocates highlight that the deal has led to increased persecution of Christians, with no visible improvement in religious freedom.
• U.S. and U.K. officials criticize the renewal due to lack of transparency and its link to intensified religious persecution.
• Lord David Alton and others call for public scrutiny and insist on conditions, such as releasing jailed clergy, before renewal.
• Protests against the deal cite betrayal of Chinese Catholics, accusing the Vatican of sidelining human rights for diplomatic goals.
• Benedict Rogers notes four major issues with the deal: its secrecy, CCP control over bishop appointments, silence on human rights, and mistrust of China’s adherence.
• Cardinal Joseph Zen has criticized the deal as a betrayal, highlighting ongoing challenges for Catholics in China.

Read the exclusive at Life Site…