China

The Latest

Government officials destroy Way of the Cross in China's Henan province

Jun 8, 2018

The sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in China's Henan province is a popular pilgrimage site for many Catholics,... Read more

China may lift its two-child policy - here's what that could mean  

May 23, 2018

Amid reports that China may be considering putting an end to its two-child policy, experts are questioning the extent of... Read more

The flags of the Republic of China and the Vatican.

Taiwan's bishops gather at the Vatican for first time in 10 years

May 10, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

The bishops of the Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, arrived in Rome earlier this week ahead of meetings... Read more

The flag of China.

The Chinese village where Catholics are sceptical of a Vatican-China deal

Apr 4, 2018

As the Holy See reportedly negotiates a deal with the government of mainland China,  some Catholic residents of a town... Read more

Chinese authorities release bishop—but restrict his celebration of Mass

Mar 28, 2018

A Catholic bishop has been released by Chinese authorities after a short detention, but they have ordered him not to... Read more

Analysis: Francis, China, and the art of the deal

Mar 28, 2018

By Elise Harris

If Vatican-brokered agreements negotiated under his leadership are any indication, it seems clear that when a deal is on the... Read more

Flags of China and Vatican City.

Cardinal Tong says opposing Vatican-China deal is 'unreasonable'

Mar 23, 2018

By Elise Harris

Cardinal John Tong Hon has voiced support for a proposed deal on the appointment of bishops between the Vatican and... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen. Courtesy Photo.

Cardinal Zen: Vatican-China deal weakens the Church

Mar 8, 2018

Vatican diplomats’ efforts to reach an agreement with the Chinese government would turn bishops into government officials who cannot adequately... Read more

Chinese flag.

Analysis: La Civiltà Cattolica and the 'sinicization' of Catholicism

Mar 2, 2018

By Andrea Gagliarducci

At the Chinese Communist Party’s 19th National Party Congress in October 2017, the country’s president, Xi Jinping, promised to “sinicize... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen.

Cardinal Zen calls China deal 'suicide,' blames papal advisors

Feb 28, 2018

By Elise Harris

In a recent blog post Cardinal Joseph Zen has issued another harsh critique of the rumored Vatican-China deal on the... Read more

Flags of the People's Republic of China and Vatican City.

Expert says religious freedom critical for Vatican-China bishop deal

Feb 14, 2018

By Elise Harris

A missionary priest and expert on the Church in China has expressed cautioun, and a limited optimism, about a rumored... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun speaks at the Asianews Conference at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, Nov. 18, 2014.

Cardinal Zen continues criticism of possible Vatican-China deal

Feb 9, 2018

Cardinal Joseph Zen again had harsh words for the Vatican on Friday, saying that the proposed deal between the Vatican... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen.

Cardinal Zen: ‘Vatican is ready to surrender to the Chinese communist party’

Feb 6, 2018

A possible Vatican agreement with the Chinese government has prompted feelings of unease and fears of betrayal, Cardinal Joseph Zen... Read more

St. Joseph's Cathedral, Shantou, China.

Analysis: Possible deal could 'enlarge the cage' of Chinese Catholics, Vatican sources say

Feb 6, 2018

By Andrea Gagliarducci

 In the Vatican, there is a saying about China: “China has the sharp end of the stick. Any time the... Read more

Chinese flag.

Communist-backed Chinese paper weighs in on possible China-Vatican deal

Feb 6, 2018

By Elise Harris

A Chinese newspaper with close ties to the nation's communist party has added its voice to the discussion of a... Read more

Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo.

Vatican official praises China for witness to Catholic social teaching

Feb 6, 2018

The chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences has said that China is exercising global moral leadership in the... Read more

Flags of China and Vatican City.

Vatican-China bishops deal is 'imminent', sources say

Feb 3, 2018

By Elise Harris

Several sources familiar with a proposed deal between the Chinese government and the Holy See have said the landmark agreement... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun speaks at the Asianews Conference at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, Nov. 18, 2014.

What Cardinal Zen told Pope Francis about the Church in China

Jan 29, 2018

Cardinal Joseph Zen of Hong Kong has said proposals aimed at reconciling the Catholic Church in China and the government-backed... Read more

Flags of the People's Republic of China and Vatican City.

The complicated case of China’s Catholic bishops

Jan 23, 2018

The Vatican’s efforts to resolve the split between underground Chinese bishops and the government-recognized Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association face another... Read more

Chinese Flag.

The story of an underground Catholic priest in China

Nov 17, 2017

Fr. Joseph of Jesus is a Chinese priest, faithful to the Catholic Church. Life is not easy for Catholics in... Read more