Vatican-China Move Toward Normalizing Relations

Yesterday's Washington Post reported that China and the Vatican are close to normalizing their relations. The Vatican has signaled that it is willing to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan and set up diplomatic relations with Beijing as part of an overall agreement that would protect the Church's role in China. The other major dispute between the Church and China is over who has the power to appoint Catholic bishops. This is also moving toward resolution, as the Chinese government has begun to select bishops it knows have already been chosen by the Vatican. However, Chinese leaders are still concerned that the Vatican might encourage activity in opposition to government policies among Catholics in China.