Vatican City, Sep 28, 2018 / 14:01 pm
Sources say the Holy See and the People's Republic of China are involved in new negotiations over the fate of bishops who have remained faithful to Rome "underground" for years in Communist China, Agence France-Presse has reported.
These negotiations are a follow up to the agreement that was reached Sept. 22.
An unnamed Vatican source reportedly told AFP that the Holy See could win concessions from the Chinese government by the end of the year, and that Vatican negotiators hope to convince Beijing to recognize officially a dozen "underground" bishops by December.
New regulations on religious practice in China went into effect in February 2018 that codify increased scrutiny and pressure on almost all religious activities in China. The government has recently been engaged in a crackdown on religion throughout the country, including bulldozing of Christian churches and internment of Muslims.