Pope Listening to Persecuted Catholics, Signals Potential Change to China Deal

This article was originally published by The Epoch Times: Pope Listening to Persecuted Catholics, Signals Potential Change to China Deal

“Navigating this terrain is no small feat,” remarked Pope Leo XIV in a recent interview.

In a first-of-its-kind discussion, Pope Leo XIV hinted at an impending reevaluation of the Vatican’s agreement with China, emphasizing his commitment to listening to the voices of persecuted Catholics within the country.

The pope engaged in a conversation with the Catholic outlet Crux, releasing his insights in Spanish over multiple installments beginning September 14.

He noted that he maintains “ongoing dialogue with various individuals in China, representing both perspectives on the pressing issues at hand.”

While no definitive changes were announced, he acknowledged that discussions at the highest levels regarding China have been ongoing.

“I endeavor to grasp how the Church can fulfill its mission while respecting both cultural and political landscapes of considerable importance, alongside a significant portion of Chinese Catholics who have endured oppression and challenges in practicing their faith freely, all without taking sides,” Pope Leo XIV articulated.

“This complexity is certainly at the forefront of my considerations, as is my past experience with Chinese government officials, religious leaders, and laypeople. It’s undeniably a challenging situation.”

Recently, he has also made headlines regarding China, including the establishment of a new diocese in Zhangjiakou, China, and the appointment of its inaugural bishop, Rev. Giuseppe Wang Zhengui.

Back in 2018, Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, brokered a controversial agreement with China concerning the appointment of bishops, the specifics of which remain largely undisclosed.

This accord has drawn significant criticism from human rights advocates, given the notorious track record of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in persecuting Christians and other faiths, often labeling non-state-sanctioned worship as cult-like and criminalizing such beliefs. Historical context reveals that in 1955, the bishop of Shanghai was imprisoned for three decades for refusing to relinquish his loyalty to the papacy.

In October 2024, the Vatican and China renewed this agreement, which the Church claims is essential to address the numerous vacant episcopal positions in China.

That same month, the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute released a report indicating that persecution against Catholics has “intensified” since the 2018 accord, with a focus on the plight of ten Catholic bishops who have faced wrongful detentions and even disappearance.

The report highlights that the CCP specifically targets “hierarchs who oppose its control over religious practices.”

These persecuted bishops resisted joining the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA), which would have necessitated their renouncement of allegiance to the Vatican and adherence to state-sanctioned ideologies, including “Xi Jinping Thought.”

Following the 2018 agreement, Beijing pressured bishops to join the CPCA. In 2019, the Vatican issued guidelines permitting “conscientious objection” to the CPCA, but the original agreement offered no such allowances. Consequently, those who objected formed a Catholic underground, leaving the Church grappling with unprecedented challenges in developing the next generation of bishops in China.

“The Holy See is racing against time to strengthen its relationships with bishops within the CPCA before the Chinese episcopate becomes indistinguishable from the broader apparatus of the United Front Work Department,” the report warns, alluding to the CCP’s expansive global influence operations.

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