The following press release from the Vatican has today criticised the CCP's appointment of a bishop against the agreement made between the two entities.
“The Holy See has noted with surprise and regret the news of the "installation ceremony", which took place on 24 c.m. in Nanchang, of H.E. Msgr. John Peng Weizhao, Bishop of Yujiang (Jiangxi Province), as "Auxiliary Bishop of Jiangxi", a diocese not recognised by the Holy See.
This event, in fact, did not take place in accordance with the spirit of dialogue existing between the Vatican and the Chinese side and what was stipulated in the Provisional Agreement on the Appointment of Bishops, on 22 September 2018.
Moreover, the civil recognition of Bishop Peng was reportedly preceded by long and heavy pressure from the local authorities.
The Holy See hopes that such episodes will not be repeated, awaits appropriate communications from the Authorities and reaffirms its full willingness to continue respectful dialogue on all matters of common interest”.