The renewal of a controversial secret deal between the Vatican and China on the joint appointment of bishops has come at an embarrassing moment for the Pope, fanning international criticism of what has been characterised as moral appeasement on the part of the Holy See.
The announcement came on the day that President Xi consolidated his dictatorial powers at the climax of the 20th Chinese Communist Party congress and four days before the reopening of the trial of Cardinal Joseph Zen for helping to fund the legal costs of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong.
