(Fuzhou, China – June 11, 2025) On the morning of June 11, the Diocese of Fuzhou held the installation ceremony for Auxiliary Bishop Lin Yuntuan (Christian name: Joseph). Although the appointment was approved by the Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church in China and confirmed by the Fujian Provincial Commission for Apostolate, most notably, it also received formal approval from the Holy See, reflecting the ongoing dialogue and compromise between the Vatican and Beijing on the issue of bishop appointments.
The Holy See Press Office issued a statement on June 11: “We are pleased to learn that today, on the occasion of the taking possession of the Office of Auxiliary Bishop of Fuzhou by His Excellency Monsignor Joseph Lin Yuntuan, his Episcopal Ministry is also recognized for the purposes of civil law. This event constitutes a further fruit of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese Authorities and is an important step in the journey of (the) communion of the Diocese.”
Installation Under State Supervision
The installation ceremony was presided over by Vincent Zhan Silu, Supervisor of One Association and One Conference, referring to the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and Bishops’ Conference, Director of the Fujian Provincial Catholic Patriotic Association, and Bishop of Mindong Diocese. This highlights the deep influence and control the Chinese Communist Party exercises over the Catholic Church through official organizations such as the Catholic Patriotic Association. Although the Vatican approved this appointment, the entire process took place under the framework led by the Chinese government.
At the installation ceremony, Joseph Lin Yuntuan solemnly pledged: “To abide by the constitution and laws of the state, safeguard national unity and social harmony, love the country and love the Church, adhere to the principle of independence and self-governance of the Church, adhere to the direction of Sinicization of Catholicism in China, and contribute to building a modern socialist country and comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” Although the Vatican approved the appointment, the emphasis on the “independence and self-governance of the Church” is often interpreted in the Chinese context as separating from the Holy See’s control and submitting to state leadership, rather than true ecclesial autonomy within the Church. This reflects how, in preserving relations with Beijing, the Vatican must also tolerate China’s forceful definition of Church affairs.
Cooperation and Controversy Under the China-Vatican Agreement
This appointment is another outcome under the framework of the 2018 provisional agreement between the Holy See and China on the appointment of bishops, which has been renewed multiple times. Although the specific content of the agreement remains undisclosed, it allows for a certain degree of consultation from both sides on the appointments of bishops. The Vatican expressed it was “pleased to learn” of this appointment, describing it as “constitutes a further fruit of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese Authorities and is an important step in the journey of (the) communion of the Diocese.”
Critics pointed out that although the agreement aims to bridge the gap between the official and underground churches in China and foster full communion of Chinese bishops with the Pope, it may also be seen as a concession by the Vatican to the pressure of the Chinese government and does not fundamentally resolve the religious freedom limitations facing Chinese Catholics.
A Mass of Thanksgiving with Broad Participation
After the installation ceremony, a Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated, presided over by Bishop Joseph Cai Bingrui of the Fuzhou Diocese, and assisted by Bishop Vincent Zhan Silu of the Mindong Diocese, Bishop Peter Wu Yishun of the Northern Fujian Diocese, and Auxiliary
Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan of the Fuzhou Diocese. Nearly 300 representatives from the official “One Association and One Conference,” the provincial “Two Associations (of Christianity),” as well as diocesan priests, nuns, and lay representatives participated in the event. The scale of official presence underscored the Chinese government’s leading role in Church affairs and raised concern from the outside world for the circumstance of the underground believers who may be excluded from public participation due to lack of official recognition.
The appointment of Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan was not only a reflection of cooperation under the China-Vatican agreement but also a reveal of the Chinese government’s deeper control of the Church under its “Sinicization” religious policy. While it offers a glimpse of hope for ecclesial unity, it also fuels ongoing debate over religious freedom and the Vatican’s strategy toward China.
The Background of Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan
- 1979 to 1983: Studied at the diocesan seminary of Fuzhou
- April 9, 1984: Ordained to the priesthood
- 1984 to 1994 and 1996 to 2002: Served as parish priest in various parishes
- 1985: Taught at the diocesan seminary
- 1994 to 1996 and 2000 to 2003: Deputy director of the diocesan Economic Commission; served many years as bishop’s delegate
- 2003 to 2007: Served as diocesan administrator
- 2013 to 2016: Served as apostolic administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis
- December 28, 2017: Ordained bishop
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai of ChinaAid)