Vatican china final push elusive deal bishops

It appears that you're referring to the ongoing diplomatic efforts between the Vatican and China to reach a deal on the appointment of bishops. Here's a brief summary:

Background: The Vatican and China have been negotiating a deal on the appointment of bishops since 2015. The talks aim to regularize the situation of Chinese Catholics, who have been divided between those loyal to the Pope and those under the control of the Chinese government.

Recent developments: In recent months, there have been reports of a final push to reach an agreement. In October 2020, the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Rome to discuss the issue. The meeting was seen as a significant step forward in the negotiations.

Key issues: The main sticking points in the negotiations are:

1. Appointment of bishops: The Vatican wants to have a greater say in the appointment of bishops in China, while the Chinese government wants to maintain control over the process.
2. Recognition of existing bishops: The Vatican wants to recognize the legitimacy of bishops already appointed by the Chinese government, while the Chinese government wants to ensure that these bishops are not recognized as "illegitimate" by the Vatican.
3. Protection of religious freedom: The Vatican is seeking guarantees that the Chinese government will respect the religious freedom of Catholics in China.

Bishops' concerns: The Chinese Catholic bishops have been following the negotiations closely and have expressed concerns about the potential deal. Some bishops have spoken out against the idea of recognizing bishops appointed by the Chinese government, while others have expressed concerns about the potential impact on the Church's autonomy.

Elusive deal: Despite the progress made in the negotiations, a deal remains elusive. The Vatican and China have yet to reach an agreement on the key issues, and it's unclear when or if a deal will be reached.

Implications: A deal between the Vatican and China could have significant implications for the Catholic Church in China and beyond. It could lead to greater unity among Chinese Catholics, improved relations between the Vatican and China, and potentially even a normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries. However, a failure to reach a deal could lead to further divisions within the Church and ongoing tensions between the Vatican and China.