Catholic Church in China

The Latest

The episcopal ordination of Francis Cui Qingqi in Wuhan, China, on Sept. 8, 2021.

New Wuhan bishop consecrated under terms of Vatican-China deal

Sep 8, 2021

By Courtney Mares

He is the sixth bishop to be consecrated under the deal signed in 2018. Read more

Catholics carry a portrait of the Virgin Mary in China’s Hebei Province on May 26, 2013.

Catholics in China told to celebrate communist party and forgo Marian pilgrimage

Aug 13, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Catholic dioceses across China hosted celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) this year, while pilgrimages... Read more

Pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong's Victoria Park, June 2019.

Wave of arrests in Hong Kong targets pro-democracy politicians, activists

Jan 6, 2021

Police in Hong Kong arrested more than 50 people Wednesday for apparent violations of a China-imposed “national security law”— the... Read more

Bishop Andrew Han Jingtao | Courtesy: AsiaNews.it

Underground Catholic bishop dies in China

Dec 31, 2020

According to the Catholic outlet AsiaNews, headquartered in Rome, Bishop Andrea Han Jingtao, 99, one of the most revered leaders... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong, speaks at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, Nov. 18, 2014.

Zen challenges Parolin over China deal claims

Oct 7, 2020

Cardinal Joseph Zen has rejected claims that the 2018 Vatican-China deal was approved in draft form by Pope Benedict XVI,... Read more

Bishop Guo Xijin.

Chinese bishop resigns as deadline for renewing Vatican deal nears

Oct 6, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Ahead of the expected renewal of the Vatican-China deal this month, the former underground bishop of Mindong has announced his... Read more

Vatican official hails ‘positive’ results of China deal amid report that Holy See delegation is heading to Beijing

Sep 29, 2020

A Vatican official hailed the “positive” results of the Holy See’s provisional agreement with China Tuesday amid reports that a... Read more

Chineses, Taiwanese and Vatican flags. Image via Shutterstock

China restates ‘one China’ policy on Taiwan in question on Vatican talks

Sep 22, 2020

A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has underscored the country’s insistence that Taiwan not be recognized as... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun departs the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, Nov. 18, 2014.

Cardinal Zen: Church is losing ‘credibility’ to evangelize China

Sep 21, 2020

By Ed Condon

The former Bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, has warned that the Church’s efforts to negotiate an extension... Read more

Flag on Taiwan on a world map.

Analysis: China and the Vatican - What if the US recognizes Taiwan?

Sep 17, 2020

By Ed Condon

A dramatic diplomatic maneuver from the Trump administration could strengthen Rome’s hand with China, and rebalance the relationship between all... Read more

President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping.

US Commission: Vatican-China deal should focus on religious freedom

Sep 15, 2020

Religious freedom must be the result of any renewed Vatican agreement with China, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom... Read more

Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Cardinal Parolin: Vatican-China deal can help ‘normalize life of the Church’

Sep 14, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican expects to renew its interim deal with China on the appointment of bishops, as part of efforts to... Read more

 Chinese president Xi Jinping.

Analysis: The art of China’s Vatican deal

Sep 2, 2020

By Ed Condon

While the last two years have failed to deliver any measurable progress on the Vatican’s priorities, the status quo of... Read more

Cardinal John Tong Hon of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong cardinal warns priests to ‘watch your language’ in homilies

Sep 1, 2020

By Ed Condon

The leader of the Diocese of Hong Kong has written to all the clergy telling them to avoid politics in... Read more

Vatican and China flags.

Analysis: Is Vatican silence on China strategic?

Aug 27, 2020

By Ed Condon

The Holy See faces mounting criticism for its silence on human rights abuses in China ahead of the expected renewal... Read more

Wing Choh Primary school, and Catholic Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Hong Kong.

HK diocese promotes 'national identity', security law in Catholic schools

Aug 11, 2020

The Diocese of Hong Kong has told Catholic schools told to promote the provisions of the new National Security Law to students,... Read more

14Jul2019: Hongkongers march in Sha Tin against Hong Kong's extradition bill.

HK Catholic activists arrested, US lawmakers sanctioned in China crackdown

Aug 10, 2020

Chinese authorities arrested pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong and imposed new sanctions on American lawmakers August 10, as part of... Read more

Photo: Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, archbishop of Yangon.

Cardinals condemn China’s ‘potential genocide’ of Uyghurs

Aug 10, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The Chinese government’s treatment of Uyghurs is “one of the most egregious human tragedies since the Holocaust,” two Asian cardinals... Read more

Cathedral of St. Francis, Xi'an, China.

Chinese bishop denies government has plans to demolish cathedral

Aug 4, 2020

A Catholic bishop in China has denied that the government plans to tear down his cathedral, after local Catholics expressed... Read more

Crowds in Shenzhen, China.

China offers rewards for reporting underground churches

Jul 31, 2020

The Chinese Communist Party is offering monetary rewards to those who report the presence of home churches in their communities.  Read more