And especially the newer bishops. Everybody knows they were appointed by the Holy Father.

The final word should not be exclusively on the side of an atheist government.

My impression is that they’ve entered into real talks.

By appointing their own bishops hastily and illegally, they [the Patriotic Catholic Association] tried to impose their own selection on the Vatican. This shows disregard for the spirit of the negotiation and disrupts mutual trust.

Because they are having full power in many places, and especially at the national level, they are above the bishops. That cannot be tolerated by the [Roman] Catholic Church, and so they are going to...

But there will be time.

Only the Holy Father can decide which men are suitable. But if the government is worried about an appointment, they can give their views.

Yet it is not my blood that has been shed — it is the bleeding tears from the numerous, nameless, heroes in both the official and underground churches who have suffered for being faithful to...

Winter has passed, and spring has come. The seeds you have sown with tears will bear fruit very soon.

I agree mainland China’s situation is different. The Vatican may make concessions and let China give its opinion, but it won’t let Beijing have total say.

I can confidently say these are not major problems. They can be overcome.