The Limits of Tolerance

Lawyers, academics and human rights activists have signed an open letter urging the Vatican to reconsider a possible deal with the Heathen Chinee, in case it harms the moral authority which has been so comprehensively restored since the late unpleasantness over sexual abuse. Relations were severed when the Communists took over in 1949, but the Heathen Chinee are closing down evangelical Protestant churches while allowing Catholic bishops to operate provided their snake-oil has the seal of government approval. Accordingly, two bishops who were operating without such approval have now been "asked" by the Vatican to relinquish their positions to less turbulent counterparts. It remains as yet unclear what major moral concessions the Vatican has won in exchange; but the pious can be reasonably certain that Xi Jinping will not insist on the replacement bishops being female.