Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, has found himself in the center of renewed scrutiny after a deal he struck with China in 2018 has resurfaced amid discussions about the future of the Catholic Church. At the age of 70, Parolin is currently the bookmakers' favorite to succeed Pope Francis as the next pope. The timing of this renewed focus on his past actions is no coincidence—his involvement in the 2018 agreement with China is now under the microscope once again as the Catholic Church looks ahead to its next leader.
The 2018 Deal: A Diplomatic Move with Consequences
Back in 2018, Cardinal Parolin brokered a historic agreement between the Vatican and the Chinese Communist Party. The deal was designed to address the deep divisions within China's Catholic community, which had been split between the state-sanctioned "official" church and the underground church that remained loyal to the Vatican. The deal gave Beijing a formal role in selecting Catholic bishops within China—a significant step that, in the eyes of some, seemed like a necessary move to bring stability and unity to the Catholic community there.
However, not everyone viewed the deal as a diplomatic breakthrough. Critics of the agreement, including prominent figures like Hong Kong's Cardinal Joseph Zen, have consistently labeled it a "betrayal" of the underground Catholic church. Zen has been outspoken in his condemnation, arguing that the Vatican's decision to engage with the Chinese government undermines the church's moral authority and damages its credibility in the eyes of millions of faithful Catholics.
The Deal's Resurfacing Amid Papal Transition
As the Catholic Church approaches a new papal conclave, Parolin's role in the China deal is once again in the spotlight. The conclave, set to begin on May 7, will bring together the electors—the College of Cardinals—who will be tasked with selecting the next pope. The timing of this process has sparked renewed debate over the long-lasting impact of Parolin's actions, especially considering the number of Chinese Catholics who view the deal as a betrayal of the sacrifices made by previous generations.
According to John Allen Jr., editor of Crux, a prominent Catholic news website, the deal has left a deep scar in the hearts of many Chinese Catholics. He explained, “Generations of Chinese Catholics have been martyred for their refusal to accept Communist control of the Catholic Church. Others have been imprisoned, tortured, harassed, and persecuted, and some regard this deal as a betrayal of their suffering.” This sentiment has only grown stronger as the situation in China remains tense for Catholic clergy, especially those loyal to the Vatican.
Nina Shea, a senior fellow and director at the Hudson Institute’s Center for Religious Freedom, also raised concerns about the implications of the deal. Writing in First Things, Shea highlighted the ongoing persecution of Catholic clergy in China, citing the indefinite detention of Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin, a key underground leader in the Diocese of Wenzhou, as a stark example. Shao, who has been detained multiple times by Chinese authorities, is viewed by many as a symbol of the harsh treatment faced by those who refuse to submit to Communist Party control over the Church.
A Strained Relationship Between the Vatican and China
The controversy over the 2018 deal has only been further complicated by recent developments. After the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, China moved ahead with its own appointment of a new bishop for the Diocese of Xinxiang, despite the ongoing vacancy of the papacy. This action came during the sede vacante period, the time between the death of a pope and the election of a new one, during which no major ecclesiastical decisions, such as the appointment of bishops, are supposed to be made.
The Chinese government's decision to unilaterally appoint a bishop, bypassing the Vatican’s authority, underscores the ongoing tension between the Holy See and Beijing. Canon lawyers JD Flynn and Ed Condon, writing for The Pillar, noted that this act serves as a clear demonstration of the Chinese state’s refusal to acknowledge any outside authority in the organization of the Church within its borders. The implications of such actions are profound, as they highlight the delicate balance the Vatican must strike in its relationship with China, balancing diplomacy with its religious mission.
Parolin's Defense: A Long-Term Vision for the Church
While critics have raised alarms about the deal's negative impact on the Church’s credibility, Cardinal Parolin has defended his actions. In a symposium on religious freedom held in April, Parolin reiterated that the deal was signed with the aim of advancing religious freedom and stabilizing the situation for Catholics in China. "History was not built in one day; history is a long process," Parolin said. He emphasized that the Vatican’s approach to China was part of a long-term strategy to improve the conditions for the Catholic community in the country.
Pope Francis, who supported Parolin’s negotiation efforts, also defended the agreement. In 2018, the late pope explained that “both sides lose something” in every diplomatic agreement, but he praised the "patience and wisdom" of the negotiators involved in the deal. The pope’s comments highlighted the complex nature of the Vatican’s relationship with China, one that involves balancing the Church’s spiritual mission with the geopolitical realities of a rising superpower.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for the Catholic Church?
As the Vatican prepares for the conclave to select the next pope, all eyes are on Cardinal Parolin. His experience, particularly in navigating complex international relations, positions him as a leading candidate. In fact, many believe that Beijing would favor Parolin, given his extensive background in managing the Vatican's dealings with China.
However, the controversial 2018 deal may be a stumbling block in his quest for the papacy. As the world watches, the decisions made during the conclave will have far-reaching implications, not just for the Church in China, but for the global Catholic community. The conclave will begin on May 7, when the College of Cardinals will be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel to cast their ballots. While some past conclaves have been resolved quickly, others have taken several days, depending on the level of agreement among the electors.
The process to elect a new pope is an intensely secretive one, with each ballot requiring a two-thirds majority to elect a new leader. Once a new pope is selected, white smoke will be released from the Sistine Chapel chimney as a signal to the world that the Church has chosen its new leader.
Final Thoughts: The Legacy of Parolin's Deal
As the papal conclave looms, the Vatican faces an uncertain future, especially in its relationship with China. The deal that Cardinal Parolin brokered in 2018 will remain a key topic of debate as the Church moves forward into a new era. Whether Parolin’s experience will be enough to win him the papacy remains to be seen, but the impact of his past decisions will continue to shape the direction of the Church for years to come.
Ultimately, the question that remains is how the next pope will navigate the delicate balance between maintaining the Church's spiritual integrity and engaging with powerful geopolitical forces like China. It’s a challenge that will require not only wisdom and diplomacy but a deep understanding of the suffering and sacrifices of the faithful, both in China and around the world.
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