Chinese hackers are again suspected of exposing Vatican internet security. Cyberscoop reports hackers posed as UCANews.com journalists in order to gain an advantage for China in negotiations with the Holy See. Researchers at the security firm Recorded Future first identified hackers affiliated with a group called Mustang Panda in July. The hacker group was conducting Read more
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday called on the Vatican to be “serious” in addressing religious persecution in China, on the heels of a visit in which Pope Francis did not meet him. Pompeo, an evangelical Protestant and staunch critic of China, in a radio interview drew an implicit contrast between Francis and Read more
The Vatican is defending its continued discussions with China about bishop nominations. Critics of the 2018 accord say Francis sold out the underground faithful. But the deal was – and is – necessary to the life of the Catholic Church in China, says Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. In the Holy See’s most Read more
Pope Francis has given the green light to extending a two-year old deal with China about the appointment of bishops. Critics are condemning the deal’s extension as a sell-out to the communist government, a senior Vatican source says. China’s agreement to extend the deal is likely, given that China says its relationship with the Vatican Read more
The Vatican-China deal has caused two top prelates to but heads over the legitimacy of the Vatican’s 2018 agreement with China on the appointment of bishops. One expert on Chinese affairs has stepped in insisting that the deal was not only good, but a product of more than 30 years of Vatican diplomacy. Paolo Affatato, Read more
The Vatican is mishandling China and the recent agreement between the Vatican and China is a step toward the “annihilation” of the church in China, says Cardinal Joseph Zen. Zen, who is the former bishop of Hong Kong, says the distinction between the underground Church and the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association has not been eradicated. Read more
A Vatican-China agreement over the selection of bishops is rumoured to be likely to take place this week. Speaking at a conference entitled “Christianity in the Chinese Society: Impact, Interaction and Inculturation” in Rome late last week, Cardinal John Tong Hon said he supports the proposed agreement. The agreement would see the Vatican propose a Read more