“I signed the agreement,” Pope Francis stated. “I am responsible.”
 “The others, whom I appointed, in all have worked for more than 10 years. It’s not an improvisation. It’s a path, a true path.”

Pope Francis said earlier this week that a “sign from God” affirmed for him that the controversial agreement between the Vatican and China is a good move.

Francis said Tuesday on his flight from Tallinn to Rome that the Vatican’s team closely studied the deal that was signed last week with Beijing, allowing Chinese bishops to both be in a communion with the Holy See and be recognized by the Chinese government.

The pontiff argued that he saw a divine message in a letter sent to him in favor of the agreement.

“The Chinese faithful wrote and the signature of this writ was from a bishop, let’s say it this way, of the traditional Catholic Church and from a bishop of the patriotic Church, together and faithful, both of them. For me, it was a sign from God,” the pontiff said, according to Catholic News Agency.

Still, Francis admitted that when peace agreements are made “both sides lose something.”

“I think of the resistance, the Catholics who have suffered. It’s true. And they will suffer. Always, in an agreement, there is suffering. They have a great faith,” he noted.

Catholics, along with Protestants and Christians of all walks in China, from recognized churches to underground congregations, have suffered for several years under the atheistic communist regime. 
Churches have been closed down and demolished, pastors arrested, congregations monitored, and even threatened with losing privileges if they don’t renounce their Christian faith.

Radio Free Asia reported that there has been mixed reactions among Christians in China over the deal, which will see Bishop Liu Xinhong of Anhui, Ma Yinglin of Kunming, and Yue Fusheng of Heilongjiang recognized by the Vatican.

In the past, the Vatican has also been upset with state interference in the form of the Chinese government placing its own bishops in Catholic dioceses.

However, Han Yingjin, bishop of Sanyuan in the northern province of Shaanxi, argued that the deal could improve morale among Chinese Catholics.

“We shouldn’t idealize it, because that would be unrealistic. Rather, this is a solution that everyone feels is acceptable … and which is a workable solution to practical problems,” he said.

Source:   www.christianpost.com