Church in China Archives - Catholic Herald

Church in China

The Sino-Vatican Pact fails again: an appeal from the Catholic Church in China

May 20, 2023

There is an old Chinese saying that ‘A gentleman would rather die than be humiliated’(士可殺不可辱). Chinese Catholics don’t want endless concessions that only bring pain and suffering to the Church. Even at the cost of diplomatic embarrassment, we would prefer that the Vatican break its silence and respond to this illicit translation with courage and dignity, rather than turning a blind eye to it.

Soiled hearts and bloodied fingers

December 02, 2022

The moral cost of the Sino-Vatican pact is far too great, argues Benedict Rogers

Spots and leopards: China violates the Sino-Vatican Pact

November 27, 2022

In a surprising development from the Vatican yesterday, a statement was released revealing that Chinese authorities had violated the terms stipulated in the provisional agreement between the Chinese Communist Party and the Holy See on the appointment of bishops. The Vatican statement comes in response to the installation of Bishop John Peng Weizhao as an “auxiliary bishop

Cardinal Zen convicted: when will Rome speak up for him?

November 27, 2022

On Friday Cardinal Joseph Zen was found guilty of failing to register a now-disbanded humanitarian fund which paid medical and legal fees for pro-democracy protesters. He was among five people connected with the fund to be convicted. The 90-year-old cardinal was fined HK$4,000 (about £420), the same amount as barrister Margaret Ng, scholar Hui Po-keung, politician Cyd Ho and

As Vatican deal with China set for renewal, are too many blind eyes being turned?

July 06, 2022

In a major blow to Chinese Catholics, the Pope has indicated the Vatican’s secretive deal with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will be renewed once again. Coming just a day after reports that the Vatican’s unofficial representative in Hong Kong warned Catholics the freedoms of the past were over, Pope Francis said he hopes the

Pope Francis: Pray for China’s Christians

May 23, 2021

“[Monday], the Catholic faithful in China celebrate the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, the celestial patron of their great country,” Pope Francis told the faithful following the Regina coeli prayer on Pentecost Sunday.

Underground Catholic bishop dies in China

January 01, 2021

The 99-year-old Bishop Andrea Han Jingtao was secretly appointed bishop of Siping in 1982, but his underground ordination could only happen in 1986.

The Vatican-China Agreement: When the Music Stops

January 01, 2021

If Cardinal Parolin and Archbishop Gallagher are clear-eyed regarding the terms of their arrangement, so is Cardinal Zen in his estimation of its effect.