China Uses Vatican Agreement to Pressure Underground Catholic Church

Reports from French media indicate that the government of the People’s Republic of China is utilizing the provisional agreement between the Holy See and Beijing to pressure members of the underground Catholic Church to join the state-sanctioned Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA).

The strategy involves Chinese authorities claiming that the Vatican has already approved the CCPA through the diplomatic accord, thereby framing the refusal of underground Catholics to join the state-run organization as an act of disobedience toward the Pope.

The Vatican-China Provisional Agreement

The provisional agreement, first signed in September 2018 and renewed periodically, focuses primarily on the process of appointing bishops in China. Under the terms of the deal, the Pope and the Chinese government collaborate to select bishops, aiming to end the schism between the state-sanctioned church and the underground community that remains loyal to the papacy.

The CCPA is the official body recognized by the Chinese government, which emphasizes the principle of independence from foreign influence, including the administrative authority of the Vatican. In contrast, the underground church consists of believers and clergy who have historically rejected state control to maintain a direct spiritual and administrative link to the Holy See.

Tactics of Coercion

According to reporting by French media, Beijing is leveraging the existence of the agreement to erode the resolve of underground Catholics. Officials reportedly tell these believers that since the Holy See has entered into a formal agreement with the state, the underground church no longer has a theological or canonical justification for its existence.

This narrative is used to persuade clergy and laypeople that joining the CCPA is not a betrayal of their faith, but rather a fulfillment of the Pope’s wishes for unity. Those who continue to resist are reportedly faced with increased pressure, as their refusal is characterized as being contrary to the Vatican’s own diplomatic efforts.

Impact on the Underground Community

The pressure campaign creates a dilemma for underground Catholics who fear that the CCPA remains a tool for state surveillance and political control. While the Vatican seeks to unify the church in China to ensure all Catholics are under the authority of the Pope, critics argue that the Chinese government uses the agreement as a cover to dismantle the independent religious infrastructure of the underground community.

Reports suggest that while some underground bishops and priests have accepted the agreement as a necessary compromise to ensure the survival of the faith in China, others view the state’s interpretation of the deal as a distortion intended to force total submission to the Communist Party.

Diplomatic Stakes

The Holy See has maintained a cautious approach toward the agreement, viewing it as a pragmatic step toward reconciliation. However, the reported use of the accord by Beijing to coerce believers adds tension to the fragile relationship. The Vatican has not publicly detailed the specific internal pressures faced by the underground church, focusing instead on the legal recognition of bishops.

The situation remains a central point of contention for international human rights observers and religious freedom advocates, who argue that the CCPA’s requirement of loyalty to the state contradicts the fundamental tenets of Catholic ecclesiology.