China–Holy See relations

China–Holy See bilateral relations

This article is about the relations with the People's Republic of China. For the relations with the Republic of China, before and after the communist takeover of mainland China in 1949, see Holy See–Taiwan relations.

Bilateral relations

China–Holy See relations

China |
Holy See

There are no official bilateral relations between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Holy See. The Holy See instead recognizes the Republic of China (Taiwan) as the representative of China ever since the establishment of relations with the ROC government in 1942.

Relations between the Holy See and the PRC have been strained over various issues, especially the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) policy of restricting religious activities and the appointment of Catholic bishops in mainland China. There have been attempts to improve China-Holy See relations, with an agreement signed in September 2018 between the PRC and the Holy See allowing the pope to appoint and veto bishops approved by the CCP. The agreement was renewed for another two years in October 2020. However, in 2022, the Vatican has accused the government for violating the terms of the agreement with the appointment of a diocese not recognised by the Holy See.

## Framework

[edit]

The Beijing government has set two conditions for re-establishing relations: that the Holy See "not interfere in religious matters in China" and that, in line with Beijing's One China principle, it break the ties with the Taipei government. Such ties were established after the expulsion of Archbishop Riberi, and have been maintained at the level of chargé d'affaires ever since the United Nations' recognition of the Beijing government as the government of China.[1] The Holy See has indicated that it would move its nunciature to Beijing only with guarantees of religious freedom.[2]

A recurring issue is the procedure for appointing Catholic bishops in mainland China.[3]: 180 This is the most important issue in the bilateral relationship from the perspective of the Vatican.[3]: 191 Since the 1950s, the Chinese government's position is that bishops in China should be elected by Chinese Catholics through the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.[3]: 180 The Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association is part of the United Front system.[3]: 180 Through this process, the Communist Party has ultimate control over the appointment of bishops.[3]: 180 The Vatican's position is that the appointment of bishops is the prerogative of the pope.[3]: 180 By the terms of the canon law of the Catholic Church, the Chinese bishops and people who actively participate in their ordination would be automatically excommunicated, a result called latae sententiae.[3]: 184 The Vatican has never announced any such excommunications.[3]: 184 Instead, the Vatican describes the ordination of the Chinese bishops as valid but illicit.[3]: 184 This means that in the Vatican's view, the Chinese bishops are in fact bishops, but the process through which they are appointed is sinful.[3]: 184 In 2018, the Chinese government and the Holy See reached a provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops,[3]: 180 which was renewed in 2022 and 2024.

## History

[edit]

See also: Catholic Church in China

During the Chinese Civil War, Pope Pius XII forbade Chinese Catholics from joining the Communist Party or participating in its activities.[3]: 183

In summer 1949, the Communist forces captured the Nationalist capital, Nanjing.[3]: 183 The Nationalist government retreated to Guangzhou.[3]: 183 Although most of the diplomatic corps in Nanjing also went to Guangzhou, the papal ambassador (the Internuncio) remained in Nanjing.[3]: 183 Pius XII instructed all Chinese bishops to remain in place.[3]: 183

In 1950, the Holy See stated that participation in certain CCP-related organizations would result in excommunication from the Church.[4]: 33 In response, initiatives including Fr. Wang Liangzuo's "Guangyuan Declaration of Catholic Self-Reformation" gained support from Chinese Catholics.[4]: 33 In turn, apostolic nuncio Antonio Riberi circulated a letter denouncing such proposed reforms, and in March 1951 Fr. Li Weiguang and a group of 783 priests, nuns, and lay Catholics signed a declaration opposing what they viewed as Vatican interference and Western imperialism.[4]: 33 Throughout 1950 and 1951, the People's Republic of China put pressure on the Vatican by threatening a breakaway of "independent Catholics", but many priests opposed the movement, and Premier Zhou Enlai sought a middle ground.[5] A deadly controversy was then manufactured: a priest working at the Holy See internunciature (legation) had thrown out an old 1930s-era mortar in a trash pile out of his home. A businessman named Antonio Riva discovered the mortar and took a non-functioning piece of it back to his house to display as an antique. When CCP officials saw Riva's curio in his home, they arrested him for conspiracy to assassinate Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party Mao Zedong, which Riva denied. Riva was executed and the Holy See's diplomatic mission was banished from the country for "espionage".[6] Tarcisio Martina, the regional apostolic prefect, was sentenced to life in prison[7] and died in 1961, while four other "conspirators" were given shorter sentences.[8]

The PRC broke off diplomatic relations with the Holy See in 1951, deporting the apostolic nuncio to British Hong Kong.[4]: 33 The CCP framed these actions in terms of Chinese Catholics reclaiming their church in the context of broader opposition to Western imperialism.[4]: 33

The Catholic Church in China developed into two communities.[3]: 184 The "Patriotic" Church operates with approval of Chinese authorities and the "Underground" Church which professes loyalty to the Pope.[3]: 184 "Underground" does not mean the underground church is secret (the community mostly operates openly) but refers to its lack of official approval and lack of official support.[3]: 185

In 1978, the Vatican permitted the underground church to ordain new bishops without Vatican approval (Vatican approval is normally required for ordination).[3]: 185 In 1989, the underground church organized a bishop's conference.[3]: 185 Shortly thereafter, the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association established a bishop's conference.[3]: 185 The Vatican recognizes neither.[3]: 185

On 1 October 2000, Pope John Paul II recognized 120 Chinese Catholics killed during the 19th century and the Boxer Rebellion as martyrs.[3]: 188 In the view of the PRC, these Catholics had served the interests of foreign imperialism.[3]: 188 With John Paul II's announcement occurring on China's National Day, the government viewed the move by the Vatican as offensive and protested to the Vatican.[3]: 188

Approximately one year later, John Paul II sent a message to a conference commemorating Matteo Ricci's arrival in Beijing.[3]: 188 John Paul II wrote that he regretted the behavior of those who "may have given the impression of a lack of respect and esteem for the Chinese people on the part of the Catholic Church".[3]: 188 John Paul II asked for "forgiveness and understanding of those who may have felt hurt in such actions on the part of Christians".[3]: 188 In China, these remarks were interpreted as the first apology by an imperialist power for its historical actions in China.[3]: 188 The Chinese government also interpreted the remarks as indicating that the Vatican wished to improve relations.[3]: 188

In Spring 2005, ROC President Chen Shui-bian attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II.[3]: 189 According to academic Peter Moody, Chen apparently attended on his own initiative, not the Vatican's invitation.[3]: 189 The PRC protested Chen's attendance, describing it as "an opportunity to engage in secessionist activity".[3]: 189

### 2007 letter to Chinese Catholics

[edit]

The Holy See made efforts in 2007 to create formal ties with the PRC.[9] Theodore McCarrick had been an envoy as part of such efforts.[10] High-ranking bishops in the Roman Catholic Church implied that such a diplomatic move was possible,[11] predicated on the PRC granting more freedom of religion[12] and interfering less in the hierarchy of the church in mainland China.[13]

In May 2007, Pope Benedict XVI wrote an open letter to all Chinese Catholics, stating that there was one Catholic Church in China, and that despite the two communities (i.e. the "Patriotic" and "Underground" Churches) there was no schism between them.[3]: 185 Benedict XVI stated that sacraments performed by the priests not in unity with the Vatican were valid but also illicit.[3]: 185 He stated that the Catholic Church accepts the legitimacy of the civil authorities in secular matters and that the Pope has authority in ecclesial matters, and therefore the involvement of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association in the appointment of bishops (and its bishops conference) violated Catholic doctrine.[3]: 185 The letter also removed the permission granted by the Vatican in 1978 to the Underground church to appoint bishops without Vatican approval.[3]: 185

In September 2007, the appointment of Father Joseph Li Shan by the PRC authorities was said to be "tacitly approved" by the Vatican.[14] In May 2008, the China Philharmonic Orchestra from mainland China performed a concert for the Pope inside the Vatican, prompting analysts to speak of a "growing rapprochement" between the two countries.[15] On 8 April 2011, the Financial Times reported that Baron Von Pfetten organized the first major breakthrough discussion at leadership level during a three days closed door seminar in his French château where a senior Chinese visiting delegation met with Monseigneur Balestrero the Holy See Undersecretary for Relations with States.[16]

### Papacy of Francis

[edit]

In March 2013, ROC President Ma Ying-jeou attended the inauguration of Pope Francis.[3]: 189 The PRC protested and, according to academic Peter Moody, apparently boycotted the event.[3]: 189 The Vatican stated that no specific invitations had been sent to any country and that "No one is privileged, no one is refused, everyone is welcome if they say they are coming".[3]: 189

Francis, pope from March 2013 to April 2025, said in a 2015 news media interview that he wished to visit China and improve the China-Holy See relationship.[17] It was reported that on a papal visit to South Korea in August 2014 China opened its airspace to the Pope's plane, and while crossing Chinese airspace the Pope sent a telegram expressing his "best wishes" to the Chinese people.[18]

Upon the death of Pope Francis in April 2025, the website for the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association had a notice of his death for only four days before removing it, and police in Wenzhou prevented priests from celebrating mass in memory of the late pope.[19]

## 2018 Holy See–China agreement

[edit]

In January 2018, the Church was close to negotiating a deal with China that allowed China to have more control over the underground churches and allowed the Vatican to have more control over the appointment of bishops. While this did not amount to the establishment of formal diplomatic ties, this was seen as a huge step towards formal recognition.[20] However, Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, the former Bishop of Hong Kong, dubbed the warming of diplomatic relationships as selling out the Catholic Church in China, as the process involves the resignation of several bishops of the underground church.[21][22] A vigil was held by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese in response from 12 to 13 February in St Bonaventure Church.[23]

The Holy See's Secretariat of State was in charge of negotiations for the Holy See side.[3]: 191

On 22 September 2018, the Chinese government and the Vatican signed a historic agreement concerning the appointment of bishops in China.[24] Described by the parties as a "provisional agreement", the agreement's text has not been disclosed.[3]: 191 China's foreign ministry said that the agreement works to maintain communications and improve relations between the parties.[24] They did not establish diplomatic relations, and the Vatican maintained diplomatic ties with the Republic of China on Taiwan.[25] Vatican spokesman Greg Burke described the agreement as "not political but pastoral, allowing the faithful to have bishops who are in communion with Rome but at the same time recognized by Chinese authorities."[24][26] While the agreement states that China will recommend bishops before they are appointed by the pope,[26] it also stipulates that the pope has authority to veto a bishop China recommends.[27]

Francis then approved seven bishops who had been appointed by Beijing, after withdrawing Church censures against those six and one recently deceased bishop, who had all received episcopal consecration without papal approval.[28][29] Francis also dismissed one of the Underground Church bishops and demoted another.[3]: 191

On 23 September, the Catholic Church in China pledged to remain loyal to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).[30] On 26 September, in a letter to Chinese Catholics, Pope Francis wrote:[31]

> On the civil and political level, Chinese Catholics must be good citizens, loving their homeland and serving their country with diligence and honesty, to the best of their ability. On the ethical level, they should be aware that many of their fellow citizens expect from them a greater commitment to the service of the common good and the harmonious growth of society as a whole. In particular, Catholics ought to make a prophetic and constructive contribution born of their faith in the kingdom of God. At times, this may also require of them the effort to offer a word of criticism, not out of sterile opposition, but for the sake of building a society that is more just, humane and respectful of the dignity of each person.

According to Willy Wo-Lap Lam, the agreement reflects the long-standing desire of the Chinese government to end the Holy See's recognition of the government in Taiwan, even as CCP general secretary Xi Jinping continued the campaign, launched in the spring of 2018, to increase control of foreign religious institutions.[32] In October 2018, local Chinese government officials destroyed two Marian shrines, one in Shanxi and one in Guizhou.[33]

While some have raised concerns that China was no longer enforcing the terms of the 2018 agreement,[34] both parties extended the agreement in October 2020 for two more years.[35] As of July 2022, seven bishops before 2018 were brought into communion with the Vatican and only six new bishops had been appointed under the 2018 agreement.[36] In October 2022, the agreement was renewed for another two years.[37] In November 2022, the Vatican accused the Chinese government of violating the terms of the agreement. A bishop of another district, Giovanni Peng Weizhao, was installed as auxiliary bishop in Jiangxi, which is not recognized as a diocese by the Vatican.[38][39] In April 2023, Bishop Shen Bin, formerly Bishop of Haimen, was installed in the Diocese of Shanghai, with the Vatican learning of the appointment only a few days before.[40]

In October 2024, the agreement was renewed for another four years.[41][42]

During the sede vacante period following Pope Francis' death in April 2025, the Diocese of Xinxiang "elected" Fr. Li Janlin as bishop. Since a new pope had not yet been elected, it was impossible for the Holy See to recognize or ratify the appointment.[19][43]

After Leo XIV was elected pope, he nominated Joseph Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou on 5 June 2025 in accordance with the agreement. The nomination was approved by Chinese authorities on 11 June.[44]

## See also

[edit]

* Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference of Taiwan
* Roman Catholicism in China
* Religion in China

## Audio

[edit]

* Is Pope Francis ‘betraying’ China’s Catholics? The Inquiry. BBC World Service. 23 min. 22 August 2024 (radio documentary on the 2018 agreement).

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "China: the Vatican denounces the arrest of bishop, priest and layperson". AsiaNews. 4 February 2005. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012.
2. ^ "Taiwan "Religious Freedom The Key To Beijing-Holy See Ties"". Union of Catholic Asian News. 22 July 2004. Archived from the original on 29 May 2009.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar Moody, Peter (2024). "The Vatican and Taiwan: An Anomalous Diplomatic Relationship". In Zhao, Suisheng (ed.). The Taiwan Question in Xi Jinping's Era: Beijing's Evolving Taiwan Policy and Taiwan's Internal and External Dynamics. London and New York: Routledge. ISBN 9781032861661.
4. ^ a b c d e Yeh, Alice (1 June 2023). "Social Mobility, Migratory Vocations, and the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association". China Perspectives (133): 31–41\. doi:10.4000/chinaperspectives.15216. ISSN 2070-3449. S2CID 259562815.
5. ^ "Religion: Catholics in China". Time. 2 July 1951. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014.
6. ^ "Religion: Prayer for China". Time. 17 September 1951. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014.
7. ^ Dikötter, Frank (2013). The Tragedy of Liberation: A History of the Chinese Revolution 1945-1957. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 117\. ISBN 978-1620403471.
8. ^ Bertuccioli, Giuliano (1999). "Informatori, avventurieri, spioni, agenti più o meno autentici in duemila anni di storia delle relazioni italo-cinesi" (in Italian). Mondo Cinese 101. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2012. English translation at Google Translate
9. ^ "Pope offers olive branch to China". BBC News. 20 January 2007. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
10. ^ Mares, Courtney (17 September 2018). "Archbishop McCarrick's unofficial role in Vatican-China relations". Catholic News Agency. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
11. ^ "HK bishop hints at Vatican switch". BBC News. 5 April 2005. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
12. ^ "China welcomes Vatican initiative". BBC News. 22 January 2007. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
13. ^ "China ordains new Catholic bishop". BBC News. 30 November 2006. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
14. ^ "China installs Pope-backed bishop". BBC News. 21 September 2007. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014.
15. ^ Willey, David (7 May 2008). "Chinese orchestra plays for Pope". BBC News. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008.
16. ^ Dinmore, Guy (8 April 2011). "China and Vatican break ice in Burgundy". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
17. ^ "Pope Francis wants to visit mainland China". ANSA. 28 September 2015. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015.
18. ^ Ball, Deborah (14 August 2014). "Pope Francis Sends Message to China in Telegram from Papal Plane". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
19. ^ a b "Despite the death of Pope Francis, auxiliary bishop elected in Shanghai". AsiaNews. 29 April 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
20. ^ "China, the Vatican and a controversial deal". BBC News. 4 February 2018. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
21. ^ "Vatican rebukes ex-cardinal after remarks on 'selling out' of Chinese Catholics". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
22. ^ Scimia, Emanuele (29 January 2020). "The Vatican Stays Away from the Hong Kong Crisis Due to Fears of Beijing's Retaliation". Jamestown Foundation. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
23. ^ 活動資訊 :: 香港天主教正義和平委員會. www.hkjp.org (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
24. ^ a b c "Vatican and China sign agreement on bishop appointments". The Guardian. Reuters. 22 September 2018. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
25. ^ Rosner, Max (27 September 2018). "A compromise too far?". The Irish Catholic. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
26. ^ a b "Vatican announces deal with China on bishop appointments". NBC News. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
27. ^ Rocca, Francis X.; Dou, Eva (22 September 2018). "Vatican and China Sign Deal Over Bishops, Allowing Pope a Veto". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
28. ^ "Briefing Note about the Catholic Church in China, 22.09.2018" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 22 September 2018. Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018. "H.E. Mgr Joseph Guo Jincai, H.E. Mgr Joseph Huang Bingzhang, H.E. Mgr Paul Lei Shiyin, H.E. Mgr Joseph Liu Xinhong, H.E. Mgr Joseph Ma Yinglin, H.E. Mgr Joseph Yue Fusheng, H.E. Mgr Vincent Zhan Silu and H.E. Mgr Anthony Tu Shihua, OFM (who, before his death on 4th January 2017, had expressed the desire to be reconciled with the Apostolic See)."
29. ^ "Pope Francis recognizes seven bishops in China". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
30. ^ "China's Catholic Church pledges loyalty to Party after Vatican deal". Reuters. 23 September 2018. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
31. ^ Pope Francis. "Message of Pope Francis to the Catholics of China and to the Universal Church, 26.09.2018". Vatican Press. Archived from the original on 13 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
32. ^ Wo-Lap Lam, Willy (10 October 2018). "Vatican Agreement Latest Front in Xi's Widening Religious Clampdown". Jamestown Foundation. Archived from the original on 30 August 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
33. ^ "China-Vatican accord followed by the destruction of two shrines in Shanxi and Guizhou (videos)". www.asianews.it. 25 October 2018. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
34. ^ Rogers, Benedict (17 September 2020). "China Is Already Breaking Its Vatican Deal". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
35. ^ Winfield, Nicole (22 October 2020). "Vatican, China extend bishop agreement over US opposition". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
36. ^ "Pope hopes deal with China on bishop appointments will be renewed soon". South China Morning Post. 6 July 2022. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022.
37. ^ Pullella, Philip (22 October 2022). "Vatican confirms renewal of contested accord with China on bishops' appointments". Reuters. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
38. ^ Pullella, Philip (26 November 2022). "Vatican says China violated pact on bishops, wants explanation". Reuters. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
39. ^ Rocca, Francis X. (26 November 2022). "Vatican Says China Broke Agreement on Bishops". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
40. ^ "Vatican says China has unilaterally appointed bishop to Shanghai". Al Jazeera. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
41. ^ "Holy See and China extend Provisional Agreement on appointment of bishops - Vatican News". www.vaticannews.va. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
42. ^ McElwee, Joshua (22 October 2024). "Vatican and China Extend Deal over Catholic Bishop Appointments". Reuters. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
43. ^ "Chinese diocese 'elects' new bishop despite sede vacante". Pillar Catholic. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
44. ^ "Pope Leo XIV names first Chinese bishop, signalling he is continuing Vatican's controversial accord". AP News. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2025.

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