The Chinese Communist Party’s recent decision to recognize the authority of Bishop Shi Hongzhen, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Tianjin, marks a significant development in the ongoing dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese government. While some view this recognition as a positive outcome of the Vatican-China agreement aimed at easing tensions between the officially unrecognized underground church and the state-sanctioned Patriotic Catholic Association (PCA), it also raises concerns. This move could impact religious freedom in China and potentially affect the Vatican’s diplomatic relationship with Taiwan.
The Patriotic Catholic Association is the only state-sanctioned Catholic Church in China, established by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to exert control over Catholicism within the country. All other Catholic churches, particularly the underground churches whose primary loyalty is to the Vatican, are deemed illegal, with clergy and members at risk of imprisonment. The PCA is required to align with Marxist principles and “Xi Jinping Thought,” ensuring that its teachings and practices support the CCP’s political ideology. Furthermore, all religious clergy within the PCA must be approved by the Communist Party, reflecting the government’s strict control over religious appointments and its broader policy of “Sinicization” of religion. Historically, the PCA has not been in full communion with the Vatican, leading to a split between the state-controlled church and the global Catholic community.
In an attempt to bridge this divide, the Vatican and Beijing reached a provisional agreement in 2018 to resolve the contentious issue of bishop appointments in China. The deal allowed both the Vatican and the Chinese government to have a say in these appointments, with the Pope ultimately having the final decision. However, Beijing has repeatedly violated the spirit of this agreement by continuing to appoint bishops unilaterally, without Vatican approval.
A notable example occurred in 2020 when the Chinese government appointed a PCA Catholic bishop in Jiangxi Province without consulting the Pope, directly contravening the terms of the agreement. More recently, in April 2023, Bishop Joseph Shen Bin was appointed by the Chinese government as the Bishop of Shanghai, again without the Vatican’s prior approval. The Vatican later recognized Shen Bin in an effort to maintain cordial relations. This situation raises further concerns about the Vatican’s ability to maintain its influence over the Catholic Church in China. These actions have led to widespread criticism of the Vatican-Beijing deal, as it appears to have bolstered the Chinese government’s control over the Church while doing little to improve religious freedom for Catholics in China. Additionally, despite the agreement, the Chinese government has intensified its crackdown on the underground Catholic Church, continuing to persecute clergy and faithful who refuse to align with the PCA.
Bishop Shi, who had been under house arrest for years due to his refusal to join the state-backed church, was officially recognized by the CCP for civil purposes on August 27, 2024. This recognition could be seen as a concession to the Vatican, with Beijing finally appointing a bishop from the underground church who had resisted Communist Party dictates. However, it could also be viewed as a PR stunt, a strategic move by Beijing, using the appointment of the 95-year-old bishop, who may not live much longer, as a bargaining chip to gain concessions from the Vatican and exert greater control over the Catholic Church in China. The true significance of this appointment will be revealed when Bishop Shi passes and the time comes to appoint his successor—whether the Vatican will have the final say or if the CCP will appoint someone unilaterally.
The recognition of Bishop Shi Hongzhen has significant implications for Taiwan. The Holy See is one of the few states with official diplomatic ties to Taiwan rather than China. However, ongoing Vatican negotiations with China could signal a shift towards recognizing Beijing, potentially severing ties with Taipei. This would further isolate Taiwan internationally, emboldening Beijing’s efforts to marginalize the island and thereby weaken its sovereignty.
Taiwan has a significant Catholic community, and shifts in Vatican-China relations could impact the Church’s operations in Taiwan. Taiwan is a multiparty democracy which enjoys religious freedom, and the Taiwanese Catholic Church is in full communion with His Holiness the Pope. However, if the Vatican increasingly aligns with Beijing, concerns may arise about the Catholic Church’s autonomy and religious freedom in Taiwan, potentially allowing greater CCP influence. The situation in Hong Kong, where Catholic priests have reported pressure to Sinicize the Church and align it with CCP directives, has heightened fears in Taiwan that they could face a similar fate.
China’s recognition of Bishop Shi Hongzhen is more than just a local religious matter; it carries far-reaching implications. While it might indicate progress in Vatican-China relations, it also raises serious concerns about religious freedom, state control of the Catholic Church in mainland China, and the future preservation of Taiwan’s autonomy.