THE VATICAN AND CHINA CLOSE TO DIPLOMATIC RELATIONSHIP |中梵談建交 主教人選可能循越南模式

Previously the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and China were stuck over the issue of choice of bishops. Media has reported that now, the Vietnamese model where bishops were first shortlisted by the local government and then chosen by the Vatican, may be applied to Beijing. The two sides appear to be close to re-establishing diplomatic ties. This church in Shanghai is full on Christmas Eve. Previous attempts to establish diplomatic relations between the Vatican and China were caught on the issue of China retaining power of choice over clergy. Media reported that talks between the two sides are almost at a conclusion, making it a special Christmas for Catholics in China. ==SHANGHAI RESIDENT== If relations are established between China and the Vatican it is a good thing for Chinese Catholics. ==SHANGHAI RESIDENT== We are praying to Jesus, hoping that we can have peace and joy in the Lord. From the ROC's point of view, the Vatican is the only country in Europe with which there are official diplomatic relations. The barrier to China's relations with the Vatican was on the issue of choice of clergy. A French television channel reported that the two sides may use the same method as in Vietnam, with the choice of clergy approved by Beijing and then the Pope selecting from among those candidates. This face saving measure would allow for the establishment of official relations between the two. ==CHENG CHIEN-JEN former Minister of Foreign Affairs== The Holy See is flexible in dealing with foreign relations, from Vietnam to Cuba. Their negotiations in the Vatican have progressed. I think as long as the Pope and Xi Jinping are willing, this development will be very fast. Sao Tome and Principe have just broken off diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Now there are reports of a conclusion in negotiations on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Vatican. This is an important warning for Taiwan. Cheng believes that after the Tsai-Trump call, cross-strait relations have changed, but this will not necessarily mean more diplomatic ties with the ROC are broken, as this would be negative for both sides. When China establishes diplomatic relations with the Vatican it will have to face religious liberalization in China. TRANSLATED BY：CLARE LEAR 聖誕夜裡，上海的教堂，擠滿教徒，過去中國大陸和梵蒂岡建交，主要卡在主教的任命，外傳中梵建交談判已經接近尾聲，今年的耶誕夜，對中國大陸一億多的教徒感受特別不同。 ==上海民眾== 中梵一旦建交總體來說 對中國的信徒是好的事情 ==上海民眾== 向我們的小耶穌祈禱 希望大家都能夠在主內 有個平安喜樂 梵蒂岡是我國在歐洲唯一的邦交國，過去中國大陸和梵蒂岡建交主要的障礙就是主教的任命，法國廣播電台指出，關於主教任命方式，雙方可能同意比照越南模式，主教人選由北京敲定，表面上仍由梵蒂岡任命，雙方有意恢復雙邊關係。 ==前外交部長 程建人== 教廷在處理對外關係上 是有彈性的 對越南如此 對古巴如此 他們(中梵)的談判是有進展的 至於何時那就是一念之間 我想只要教宗願意 只要習近平願意 那這個發展會進速地很快 聖多美普林西比才剛與台灣斷交，現在又傳出中梵建交談判接近尾聲，對台灣來說是重要的外交警訊，前外交部長程建人認為，蔡川通話後，兩岸關係改變，還不至於造成雪崩式外交，因為對於兩岸都不利，對宗教信仰採取全面監控的中國大陸，一旦與梵蒂岡建交，還得面臨宗教自由化帶來的衝擊。 記者 林欣儀 郭俊麟 台北報導