The Impact of the Finalization of the China-Holy See Deal in 2018 to the Catholic Community in China (original) (raw)

The Catholic Church in Contemporary China: How Does the New Regulation on Religious Affairs Influence the Catholic Church

Religions, 2019

The Chinese government has regulated all religious activity in the public domain for many years. The state has generally considered religious groups as representing a potential challenge to the authority of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which sees one of its basic roles as making sure religion neither interferes with the state's exercise of power nor harms its citizens. A revised Regulation on Religious Affairs (Zongjiao shiwu tiaoli 宗教事务条例) took effect in 2018, updating the regulation of 2005. This paper aims to introduce and examine the content of the regulation, especially how it differs from its predecessor and how the changes are likely to affect religious groups in China. The Catholic church in China has historical links to the worldwide Catholic church, so articles in the new regulation which seek to curb foreign influence on Chinese religious groups may have more of an effect on Chinese Catholics than on other groups. The paper addresses two main questions: How dose the new regulation affect the Catholic church and what strategies are employed by the Catholic church in order to comply with the regulation? The research is based on textual analysis of the relevant legal documents and on field research conducted in the People Republic of China (PRC). The fieldwork consisted of open interviews with several church members and official representatives of the church conducted in Zhejiang Province between March and May 2018, and in May and June 2019. The paper thus aims to analyze contemporary Chinese religious legislation with respect to the lived experience of Catholics in China.

The Catholic Church in Modern China: How Does State Regulation Influence the Church?

Religions, 2019

The Chinese government has regulated all religious activity in the public domain for many years. The state has generally considered religious groups as representing a potential challenge to the authority of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which sees one of its basic roles as making sure religion neither interferes with the state's exercise of power nor harms its citizens. A revised Regulation on Religious Affairs (Zongjiao shiwu tiaoli 宗教事务条例) took effect in 2018, updating the regulation of 2005. This paper aims to introduce and examine the content of the regulation, especially how it differs from its predecessor and how the changes are likely to affect religious groups in China. The Catholic church in China has historical links to the worldwide Catholic church, so articles in the new regulation which seek to curb foreign influence on Chinese religious groups may have more of an effect on Chinese Catholics than on other groups. The paper addresses two main questions: How dose the new regulation affect the Catholic church and what strategies are employed by the Catholic church in order to comply with the regulation? The research is based on textual analysis of the relevant legal documents and on field research conducted in the People Republic of China (PRC). The fieldwork consisted of open interviews with several church members and official representatives of the church conducted in Zhejiang Province between March and May 2018, and in May and June 2019. The paper thus aims to analyze contemporary Chinese religious legislation with respect to the lived experience of Catholics in China.

The role of successive popes in the process of unification of the Church in China

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR THE STUDY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 2019

After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, the Communist Party of China sought to break all ties between the Church in China and Western powers. Since 1957, there have been two distinct Catholic groups within the PRC: the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, and the underground church loyal to the Vatican. This may be about to change, however, as in September 2018, the Vatican and the PRC signed a new provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops, which could lead to efforts towards reunification of the Catholic Church in China after more than sixty years of division. This paper introduces the changing position of the popes with respect to the PRC. The article argues that the new agreement should not be considered an initiative solely of Pope Francis, but rather the result of numerous changes within the Vatican instigated during the papacy of Pope John XXIII.

Crossroads of Faith and Politics: Understanding Vatican-China Relations in the 21st Century

Cognizance Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (CJMS), 2023

This article offers a thorough analysis of the diplomatic relations between the Vatican and China, particularly focusing on the developments and challenges in the early 21st century. It explores the historical context of Catholicism in China, the complexities surrounding bishop appointments, the duality of open and underground churches, and the geopolitical intricacies of addressing the "two-China" issue. The 2018 Provisional Agreement on Bishops' Appointments between the Vatican and China is scrutinized as an important milestone, shedding light on its implications for future Sino-Vatican diplomacy. The article assesses how this agreement has impacted the Catholic Church in China by considering ongoing challenges related to religious freedom, governmental influence, and broader geopolitical dynamics. It concludes by reflecting on potential future prospects for Vatican-China relations, emphasizing continued dialogue and negotiation to ensure safety for Catholic communities in China while securing stability in their relationship with both states.

Ways for the Aggiornamento of the Chinese Catholic Church

La Civiltà Cattolica, 2018

In recent decades, China has undergone enormous social, economic and political transformations. The development of the Chinese Catholic Church is subject to challenges that force it to rethink its structure and develop new responses. The article addresses the issue by presenting and evaluating the prevailing approaches to the presence of the Catholic Church in China; it considers the implementation of the aggiornamento desired by Vatican II and, finally, the broader framework of Christianity in China, presenting the main currents of Protestantism in this country. The authors are Thierry Meynard, professor of Philosophy at the National Sun Yat Sen University of Kaohsiung (Taiwan), and Michel Chambon, researcher at the University of Notre Dame (USA)

Vatican's Rapprochement with China, Three Years On

CHOICE, 2021

From a political point of view, the agreement on the appointment of bishops is for the Vatican a tool to maintain or expand the scope of the institutional presence in China and control over the local Catholics and clergy. However, given the ongoing sinicization of religion in China, it is difficult to consider a scenario in which the communist authorities grant the Catholic Church a license to create a breach in an otherwise strict policy of societal control.