Catholicism in China

The Latest

The Vatican announced the erection of the Weifang diocese on Jan. 29, 2024, the day of the consecration of the diocese’s first bishop, Bishop Anthony Sun Venjun.

Pope Francis creates ‘new’ diocese in China, accepting borders drawn by Beijing

Jan 29, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The Holy See Press Office said Pope Francis established the diocese on April 20, 2023, “in the desire to promote... Read more

Chinese flags on barbed wired wall in Kashgar (Kashi), Xinjiang, China.

Chinese bishop who was removed from diocese by Communist regime is arrested

Jan 5, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin was arrested on Jan. 2 and reportedly instructed to “take clothes for spring, summer, autumn, and... Read more

Catholics celebrate Christmas Mass at the Nativity of Our Lady Church on Dec. 24, 2019, in Macau, China.

Christian population shrinking in China amid ‘crackdown’

Dec 15, 2023

By Zelda Caldwell

This finding, human rights activists told CNA, is not surprising given the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts in recent years to... Read more

Archbishop Li Shan of Beijing, president of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, the state-managed Catholic organization in mainland China controlled by the CCP’s United Front Work Department.

China’s top patriotic bishop stresses unity, sinicization to guide evangelization

Nov 20, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

After a three-day visit to Hong Kong, Archbishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing stressed the importance of building unity. Read more

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Shanghai bishop calls on faithful to support Chinese Community Party’s ‘sinicization’ of Church  

Nov 10, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Bishop Joseph Shen Bin was unilaterally appointed as bishop of Shanghai in April without a papal mandate. Read more

Cardinal-elect Stephen Chow said Sept. 28, 2023, that evangelization in China today should focus on communicating the love of God “without the agenda of turning them into Catholics.”

New Hong Kong cardinal: Sharing ‘love of God,’ not conversions, goal of Church in China

Sep 28, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The bishop of Hong Kong, who will be made a cardinal in the consistory this weekend, spoke to CNA about... Read more

Credit: FreshStock/Shutterstock

Who are the Chinese bishops attending the Synod on Synodality?

Sep 21, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Bishop Antonio Yao Shun of Jining and Bishop Joseph Yang Yongqiang of Zhoucun will participate in the October assembly. Read more

Chinese flags on barbed wired wall in Kashgar (Kashi), Xinjiang, China.

Chinese priest convicted of ‘fraud’ for refusal to recognize state-sanctioned Church 

Sep 15, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Father Joseph Yang Xiaoming was found to have violated the law after he refused to register with the state-sanctioned Chinese... Read more

Catholics hold Chinese flags at Pope Francis' Mass in Mongolia's Steppe Arena in Ulaanbaatar on Sept. 4, 2023.

Catholics from mainland China and across Asia in Mongolia for Mass with Pope Francis

Sep 3, 2023

By Courtney Mares, Rachel Thomas

While papal Masses on the pope’s other trips can draw hundreds of thousands of people, the Mass in Ulaanbaatar only... Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience in St Peter’s Square on May 31, 2023.

Pope Francis praises Matteo Ricci for proclaiming the Gospel in China

May 31, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope dedicated his entire catechesis to sharing the life of Venerable Matteo Ricci, a 16th-century Jesuit missionary in China. Read more

Bishop Stephen Chow of Hong Kong.

Historic trip of bishop of Hong Kong to Beijing is the first in three decades

Apr 18, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Bishop Stephen Chow of Hong Kong arrived yesterday in Beijing, the capital of China, amid some tensions between the Asian... Read more

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

Vatican-China deal ‘not the best deal possible,’ top Holy See diplomat says

Mar 14, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher said that negotiations are underway to make the the Vatican-China deal “work better.” Read more

A house church in Beijing, China.

China’s new ‘Smart Religion’ app requires faithful to register to attend worship services

Mar 7, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

A human rights group said the app is part of the communist government’s efforts to “strictly manage religion in a... Read more

A worshiper waves the flag of China as Pope Francis leaves following the weekly general audience on June 12, 2019, at St. Peter's square in the Vatican.

Vatican says China violated terms of agreement with bishop installation

Nov 26, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The Holy See “noted with surprise and regret” that Bishop John Peng Weizhao had been installed as an “auxiliary bishop... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen.

Hong Kong court convicts Cardinal Zen and five other democracy advocates

Nov 25, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Joseph Zen and five others were found guilty on Friday of failing to register a fund that helped pay... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen.

Cardinal Zen’s second day in court: Magistrate rules there is sufficient evidence

Sep 28, 2022

By Courtney Mares

On Tuesday, Cardinal Joseph Zen’s second day in court in Hong Kong, the magistrate ruled that there was sufficient evidence... Read more

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A handful of Catholic leaders and others voice support for Cardinal Zen as his trial begins

Sep 26, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell, Courtney Mares

These are Catholic leaders, scholars, and human rights activists who have publicly shown their support for Zen as his trial... Read more

Flag of the People's Republic of China

Newly elected Chinese Church leaders allied with government vow to proceed with sinicization

Aug 24, 2022

By Charlotte Evans

Chinese bishops allied with the government have promised to proceed with the “sinicization” of Catholicism in China. Read more

The front of the Chinese embassy in Paris, France

Chinese embassy shares anti-Catholic cartoon amid Pelosi visit to Taiwan

Aug 5, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The image, created by a Chinese artist and propagandist, shows a gaunt, hooded and witchlike woman — crowned with a... Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Catholic University awards honorary degree to imprisoned human rights advocate Jimmy Lai

May 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Catholic University of America on Saturday awarded an honorary degree to imprisoned Hong Kong human rights advocate Jimmy Lai.... Read more