China recognises Tianjin bishop after five years: Vatican

The Chinese government has officially recognised the Catholic bishop of Tianjin who was appointed in 2019, the Vatican announced Tuesday, hailing the "positive outcome" of long negotiations.

"The Holy See learns with satisfaction that today, August 27, 2024, His Excellency Melchior Shi Hongzhen has been officially recognised for civil purposes as the bishop of Tianjin," a metropolis in northern China, it said.

The 94-year-old took over the diocese in June 2019 after the death aged 93 of Bishop Stefano Li Side, who had been under house arrest since 1992.

But he was not recognised by the Chinese government.

"This measure constitutes a positive outcome from the dialogue established over the years between the Holy See and the Chinese government," the Vatican statement said.

Beijing and the Vatican agreed to an historic but secretive deal in 2018 allowing both sides a say in the appointment of bishops in the Communist country.

The deal, renewed in 2020 and 2022, is designed to bring closer together Catholics caught between the official state-backed church in China and an underground movement loyal to Rome and the pontiff as the church's supreme leader.

It also provides for greater cooperation between the Vatican and Beijing, while affording the pope the final say in the appointment of Chinese bishops.

The diocese of Tianjin counts 56,000 faithful across 21 parishes, served by 62 priests, according to the Vatican.