China

The Latest

Chinese flag.

What is it like to be an underground Chinese seminarian?

Nov 24, 2018

Wang Jie (a fictional name) is a deacon belonging to the Chinese underground Church. He has spent several years studying... Read more

Uyghurs at a mosque in Kashgar, Xinjiang, China, September 2010.

Congressional bill aims for human rights for China’s Uyghurs

Nov 15, 2018

Legislation could help advance religious freedom and human rights in China’s far western province of Xinjiang, say U.S. lawmakers concerned... Read more

Human rights advocates: UN must address Chinese internment camps

Nov 7, 2018

Human rights advocates are calling on the United Nations to address reports of Chinese internment camps holding 1 million Muslim... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen.

Cardinal Zen: The Vatican is badly mishandling China situation

Oct 25, 2018

The recent agreement between the Vatican and China is a step towards the “annihilation” of the Catholic Church in China,... Read more

Bishop Joseph Guo Jincai (left) and Bishop Yang Xiaoting (right) at Opening of the XV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

Tiananmen Square to St. Peter’s Square: Who are the Chinese bishops at the synod?

Oct 17, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Weeks after his excommunication was lifted last month as a part of an agreement between China and the Holy See,... Read more

Taiwan & Vatican Flags are waving in the sky with dark clouds.

Taiwan offers second invitation to pope following Vatican-China deal

Oct 15, 2018

Taiwan’s government has issued a second invitation for Pope Francis to visit the country, a move which follows new developments... Read more

The flags of the People's Republic of China and Vatican City.

Holy See-China agreement draws criticism from US religious freedom advocates

Sep 30, 2018

By Kevin J. Jones

The Holy See’s provisional agreement with China on the appointment of bishops has drawn criticism from some U.S. religious freedom... Read more

Pope Francis prepares to board the papal plane, Jan. 15, 2018.

Pope Francis takes responsibility for China deal

Sep 25, 2018

Pope Francis took responsibility Tuesday for the agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China, noting that... Read more

Pilgrims from China at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on April 5, 2016.

Archbishop McCarrick’s unofficial role in Vatican-China relations

Sep 17, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Over 20 years, Archbishop McCarrick traveled to China on at least eight occasions, sometimes staying in a state-controlled Beijing seminary,... Read more

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