UCA News
Contribute

Vatican says talks with China have stalled

Taiwan ambassador to Holy See says he was told discussions have not advanced
Vatican says talks with China have stalled

A Catholic woman prays in a church on the grounds of Our Lady of Sheshan Basilica in Shanghai. Taiwan's ambassador to the Vatican says he was told talks between the Holy See and China have stalled. (File photo by AFP)

Published: January 28, 2016 09:08 AM GMT
Updated: January 28, 2016 10:49 AM GMT

Taiwan's new ambassador to the Vatican said he was told by Vatican officials that talks between the Holy See and China have stalled.

"Vatican officials said that there is no particular advancement," Matthew Lee told ucanews.com.

However, Lee said good relations between the two parties "would be welcomed by the universal church" as long as it "does not hurt Catholic orthodoxy and doctrine, and could promote religious freedom and protect human rights."

Lee said he got to know the future Pope Francis while serving as ambassador to Argentina from 2011 to 2014, but that was not the reason why he was appointed Taiwan’s envoy to the Holy See.

"It was a normal transfer due to the retirement of my predecessor Wang Yu-yuan," Lee said.

Lee presented his credentials to Pope Francis on Jan. 23.

After Argentina, Lee was posted in Jordan for two years before beginning his diplomatic mission to the Vatican in December.

He said that Taiwan-Vatican relations have been "quite close" in recent years, citing a scheduled exhibition of Vatican relics from February to May at the National Museum in Taipei.

Sister Beatrice Leung Kit-fun, a professor of international affairs in Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan, scoffed at a potential Vatican-China treaty: "Relation building needs mutual understanding. I do not see that between Beijing and the Vatican."

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia