China’s Religious Assimilation Efforts and the Vatican’s Response
China is forcing Catholics to assimilate – China’s government has intensified its strategy to integrate ethnic minorities through a new legislative initiative, with the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA) playing a pivotal role. This association, recognized by the state as the official Catholic Church within the country, has actively supported the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. The law, which has sparked controversy both domestically and internationally, aims to standardize cultural practices across China’s diverse communities, often at the expense of minority identities.
On April 30, the European Parliament voiced its concerns, urging the repeal of the law. It described the legislation as a tool that “promotes assimilation policies and restricts cultural, religious, and linguistic freedoms of various groups in China and beyond.” This criticism highlights the tension between the CCP’s agenda and the preservation of religious autonomy. The CCP’s push for assimilation is part of a broader effort to align religious institutions with its political goals, ensuring they serve as extensions of state authority rather than independent entities.
While the CCP’s rhetoric emphasizes unity and progress, the CCPA has prioritized the law’s implementation, even as it overlooks the Vatican’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, issued by Pope Leo XIV. This document, which addresses the protection of minority cultures and religious rights, seems to contradict the CCPA’s actions. Critics argue that the association has failed to advocate for the preservation of Catholic traditions, instead promoting a narrative that subordinates religious beliefs to national interests.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has defined the Sinicization of religion as the “complete subordination of religious groups to the [CCP’s] political agenda and Marxist vision for religion.” This framework is evident in the CCP’s strategy to reshape Catholicism to align with its ideological values. In 2016, President Xi Jinping launched the Sinicization campaign, which seeks to incorporate Communist Party principles into all aspects of religious life. This has led to a significant shift in how Catholic practices are conducted, with the state exerting control over theological education and doctrinal teachings.
Recent developments underscore the CCP’s commitment to this approach. In December 2023, the CCPA unveiled a five-year plan to accelerate the Sinicization of Catholicism, reinforcing its role as a state-aligned institution. Simultaneously, the National Religious Affairs Administration initiated a nationwide campaign titled “Study the Regulations, Observe Discipline, Cultivate Virtue, and Build a Good Image.” This campaign is not merely about religious education; it’s a deliberate effort to instill loyalty to Xi’s vision of religion, embedding his teachings into the daily practices of the faithful.
In April 2024, Catholics were mandated to prepare for a 2026 training session focused on the Sinicization of their faith. The Central Institute of Socialism in Beijing hosted this event, where Bishop Li Shan, chairman of the CCPA, emphasized that the “religious work in the new era” must reflect “Chinese characteristics.” This phrase, he explained, essentially means adhering to the directives of the Communist Party, which has long sought to mold religious institutions into tools of state control.
“The Sino-Vatican accord is a failure,” said Piero Tozzi, the senior China director of the America First Policy Institute. “The Chinese government violated the agreement’s terms by unilaterally appointing bishops and redrawing diocesan lines, undermining the Vatican’s authority.” Tozzi’s critique reveals the ongoing struggle between the state’s influence and the Vatican’s autonomy, even after a 2018 pact that aimed to resolve a decades-long dispute.
The 2018 agreement between the Vatican and Beijing marked a turning point in the relationship between the two entities. This accord, which extended three times since its initial signing, was intended to bridge a rift dating back to 1951, when the new Communist government severed ties with the Holy See. In 1957, the CCP established the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association to replace the Vatican’s authority, a move that had led to decades of tension. The 2018 pact granted the Pope final say in bishop appointments, a symbolic victory for the Vatican. However, in practice, the agreement has been tested by the CCP’s continued dominance over religious affairs.
Under the agreement, Beijing-appointed bishops are no longer subject to excommunication, a shift that has allowed the state to consolidate its power. Yet, the Vatican has not fully relinquished its influence. Despite the agreement, Beijing insists that Catholics must abandon underground congregations, a claim that has been challenged by the Holy See. In 2019, the Vatican clarified that its collaboration with China does not necessitate the abandonment of independent Catholic communities, but the damage to the faith’s autonomy has already been done.
According to Bitter Winter, a publication dedicated to documenting religious freedoms in China, the law’s implementation has created a stark divide between the state and the Vatican. The magazine reported that local clergy were instructed to prioritize national legislation over their religious convictions, emphasizing loyalty to the state as a prerequisite for practicing Catholicism. This directive has left many Catholics in a difficult position, forced to choose between their faith and the demands of a politically driven religious framework.
The effects of this policy are becoming increasingly apparent. A Catholic newspaper noted in November that the faith is facing a “crisis” in China, with its core teachings under threat. The Sinicization campaign has not only altered the way Catholicism is taught but has also restricted access to Vatican-approved materials. Believers are encouraged to study scripture and theology, but only in ways that align with the CCP’s ideological goals. This has led to a situation where the Church in China is increasingly seen as a tool of the state, rather than a bastion of spiritual independence.
As the CCP continues to refine its approach, the balance between religious freedom and state control remains precarious. The 2018 agreement was meant to ease tensions, but it has not stopped the government from expanding its influence. With each new law and policy, the CCP’s vision of a unified, state-supported religion becomes more pronounced, raising concerns about the long-term viability of Catholicism as a distinct cultural and spiritual tradition within China.
