BEIJING — In a rare move, a top Chinese official answered journalists' questions about a new white paper on religious freedom and the ongoing talks between his government and the Vatican. Chen Zongrong, former deputy director of China's Religious Affairs Bureau, said he did not agree that preventing the Vatican from having full control of bishop appointments would hinder freedom of religion, reported ucanews.com. The Religious Affairs Bureau is being subsumed by the Communist Party's United Front Work Department.

Chen said the government was making a concerted effort to come to an agreement with the Vatican on the appointment of bishops. China would select bishop candidates but the pope would have veto power — an arrangement meant to end the appointment of rival clerics. Although many reports speculated the Vatican and China would sign a deal during Holy Week, on March 29, Holy Thursday, the Vatican spokesman said such a deal was not imminent.

National Catholic Reporter - China official: It's OK if Vatican doesn't fully control naming bishops