Priests and bishops in China need to be approved by the state and align with the country’s official church – a law which the Vatican has contested since its introduction in 1951. 

As a result, the country’s 12 million Catholics have been split between the government-run Chinese Patriotic Catholic association in which the Communist Party select clergy members and the Vatican lead Catholic Church that operates underground. 

The relationship between the Holy See and Beijing has been strained by the disagreement for decades. 

A deal was agreed in September last year to allow both authorities to have a say on the appointment of bishops. 

On Monday Yao Shun received the papal mandate – a response of the Pope, for his ordination as Bishop of Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia. 

Although the Vatican has informally recognised a number of Chinese bishops in the past, it confirmed ordination of the new bishop, who it named as Antonio Yao Shun, was “the first to take place in the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China”. 

Despite efforts to restore relations between Beijing and the Holy See, the agreement made last year sparked controversy among Catholic leaders. 

Hong Kong’s outspoken Cardinal Joseph Zen accused the Vatican of “selling out” by endorsing government appointed bishops and called the deal “a major step toward…

Last Wednesday, 21st August, the attackers Abdul Majeed and his sons Amjad and Naveed forced their way in to the home of one of  Javed Masih in the Butt Chowk area of Lahore and stabbed him, according to Catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need. 

Mr Masih’s brother, Suleman Masih, was stabbed as well when he went inside to find out what was going on. Javed Masih’s son Adeel was also injured in the attack. 

Both brothers were taken to Jinnah Hospital by police, Javed Masih was pronounced dead on arrival and his brother died later at the hospital. 

Local sources have suggested that the death of the two Christian brothers by their Muslim neighbours may have a religious dimension. 

Tensions reportedly began after Javed Masih told one of Abdul Majeed’s children to stop scratching the stickers off his van. Abdul Majeed’s sons Amjad and Naveed later beat Javed Masih. 

The father of the two brothers, Riaz Masih told The Express Tribune: “I went to meet Amjad and Naveed’s father, Abdul Majid, and requested him to solve this issue. First of all, Majeed accepted the apology, but later he came with his sons and stabbed both my boys repeatedly.” 

Abdul Majeed and his sons have been arrested. Relatives of the brothers claim the family “has been put under pressure to settle without going to court by the accused’s…

The three primary schools will be offering a multi-belief programme rather than Catholic instruction under the umbrella of local education and training boards. 

It is hoped this move will encourage more pupils from atheist, agnostics and non-Catholic families. The schools – Lecarrow in County Roscommon, and Tahilla national school and Scoil an Ghleanna both in County Kerry have made the decision to attract more pupils and avoid closure. 

The principal of Scoil an Ghleanna, Sorcha Ni Chathain told RTÉ News: “We needed to look at how we were going to keep pupils and entice others.  

“We are a beautiful school in the most stunning location, and now we can show – formally, on paper – that we are all-inclusive.” 

The Government has pledged to have 400 multi-denominational primary schools by 2030. 

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.