Catholic Church in China

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Hong Kong.Hong Kong media tycoon and founder of Apple Daily newspaper Jimmy Lai Chee Ying arrives at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, May 18, 2020.

Hong Kong activist: Proposed law could worsen religious liberty, persecute Catholics

Feb 13, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

If enacted, Article 23 would expand the law to bolster the government’s crackdown on political dissidents, which has been ongoing... Read more

The Mass of episcopal consecration for Bishop Peter Wu Yishun was celebrated in the Church of Chengguan in the district of Jianyang in the city of Nanping and celebrated by Joseph Li Shan, the archbishop of Beijing, president of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA), and vice chairman of the Chinese Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

Holy See appoints third Chinese bishop in less than a week, signaling shift toward Beijing 

Jan 31, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Father Peter Wu Yishun was named the bishop of the Apostolic Prefecture of Shaowu (Minbei) in the third appointment of... Read more

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

Pope Francis gave a special message to Chinese Catholics at the end of his Mass in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Sept. 3, 2023.

Pope appoints new bishop in China, bringing a 70-year vacancy to an end

Jan 25, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The Holy See Press Office announced on Thursday that Father Thaddeus Wang Yuesheng was appointed by Pope Francis as the... 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

Bishop Yao Shun of Jining  and Bishop Yang Yongqiang of Zhouchun (right) of the People's Republic of China at the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican in October 2023.

Chinese bishop reflects on his experience at the Synod on Synodality

Nov 17, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Bishop Antonio Yao Shun of Jining recently said he was “cheered” to meet Catholics from around the world. Read more

Bishop Yao Shun of Jining  and Bishop Yang Yongqiang of Zhouchun (right) of the People's Republic of China at the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican in October 2023.

Chinese bishops leaving Synod on Synodality early

Oct 16, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The two prelates are returning to China because of “pastoral needs,” a Vatican spokesman said Monday. Read more

Synod on Synodality delegates in small groups listen to Pope Francis’ guidance for the upcoming weeks on Oct. 4, 2023.

This week at the Synod on Synodality: Participation focus comes amid exit of Chinese bishops

Oct 16, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Vatican confirmed that the bishops from the People’s Republic of China are leaving ahead of the event’s conclusion. Read more

At the opening reception for the Ricci Center's "On The Road" exhibit in the School of Theology and Ministry Library was held in June 2023.

Boston College exhibit showcases Catholic faith in rural China

Sep 24, 2023

By Rosanne Pellegrini

The Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History presents an exhibition by world-renowned photographer Lü Nan. 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

Pope Francis greets Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, on Feb. 20, 2023.

Synod 2023: Participants to include two bishops from mainland China, Archbishop Paglia

Sep 21, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The leadership of the Synod on Synodality have released the final list of participants for the first session of the... Read more

Bishop Ignatius Kung Pin-Mei in 1949.

A profile in courage: Cardinal Kung and Catholic resistance in Shanghai  

Sep 8, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Nearly 70 years after his arrest, Cardinal Ignatius Kung is remembered as he preached fidelity to the successor of Peter... 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

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Lawmaker warns of Chinese communists changing the Bible

Aug 21, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wisconsin, shared examples of the Chinese government changing Scripture to serve its goals. 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.

Pope Francis confirms Shanghai bishop appointed in violation of Vatican-China deal

Jul 15, 2023

By Courtney Mares, Matthew Santucci

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin announced on Saturday that Pope Francis wanted to “remedy the canonical irregularity created... 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

Pilgrims wave a Chinese flag at the general audience with Pope Francis, Oct. 12, 2022.

Pope Francis: Pray that the Gospel can be freely shared in China

May 24, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

On May 24, the Catholic Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for 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