Catholic Church in China: Difference between revisions

{{Catholic Church by country}}

The '''[[Catholic Church in China''']] (called '''{{zh|p=Tiānzhǔ Jiào''', jiào|c=天主教, literally "|l=Religion of the Lord of Heaven"}}, after the Chinese term for the Christian God) hasfirst aappeared longin andChina complicatedupon history.the arrival of [[John of Montecorvino]] was the firstin [[CatholicChina Church|Catholicproper]] missionaryduring to reachthe [[ChinaYuan properdynasty]]; he was the first Catholic missionary in the country, and would become the first bishop of [[Khanbaliq]] during the [[Yuan dynasty]] (1271–1368).<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Giovanni da Montecorvino: Franciscan missionary |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |dateyear=1 January 2022 |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. |location=Chicago |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Giovanni-da-Montecorvino |access-date=21 August 2022}}</ref>

Arriving in China during the [[Tang dynasty]], the earliest Christian missionaries from the [[Church of the East]] referred to their religion as ''Jǐngjiào'' (景教, literally, "bright teaching"). Originally, some Catholic missionaries and scholars advanced the use of ''Shàngdì'' (上帝, literally, "The Emperor from Above"), as being more native to the Chinese language,. but ultimately theOther Catholic hierarchymissionaries decided thatcoined the more Confucian term,[[neologism]] ''Tiānzhǔ'' (天主, literally, "Lord of Heaven"), waswhich tobecame bethe used,dominant atusage.<ref leastname=":Reinders">{{Cite book |last=Reinders |first=Eric |title=Reading Tolkien in officialChinese: worshipReligion, Fantasy, and texts.Translation |date=2024 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury]] Academic |isbn=9781350374645 |series=Perspectives on Fantasy series |location=London, UK}}</ref>{{Rp|page=61}} Within the Catholic Church, the term '{{Zh|c=|s=|t=|p=gōngjiào|labels=no}}' (公教, literally "universal teaching") is not uncommon, this being also the original meaning of the word "[[catholic]]". When Protestants finally arrived in China in the 19th century, they favored ''Shangdi'' over ''Tianzhu''. Many Protestants also use ''Yēhéhuá'' (耶和华, a transliteration of [[Jehovah]]) or [[Shen (Chinese "spirit; god")|''Shén'']] (神), which generically means "god" or "spirit",<ref name=":Reinders" />{{Rp|page=61}} (although Catholic priests are called ''shénfù'' (神父, literally "spiritual father") or ''Yēhéhuá'' (耶和華, a transliteration of [[Jehovah]]). Meanwhile, the [[Mandarin Chinese]] translation of "[[Christ]]", used by all Christians, is ''Jīdū'' (基督).

The mission had some success during the rule of the [[Mongol]]-led [[Yuan dynasty]], but various factors led to an ultimate shrinking of the mission.<ref name="Fällman2008">{{Cite book|author=Fredrik Fällman|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sZ6iPRLNJFUC&pg=PA2|title=Salvation and Modernity: Intellectuals and Faith in Contemporary China|publisher=University Press of America|year=2008|isbn=978-0-7618-4090-9|pages=2–}}</ref> Six centuries later, however, [[John of Montecorvino]]'s attempt at the translation of the Bible became the inspiration for another Franciscan, the Blessed [[Gabriele Allegra]], to go to China and in 1968 complete the first translation of the Catholic Bible into the Chinese language, after a 40-year personal effort.

In the [[Qing dynasty]], the Jesuits' pragmatic accommodation with Confucianism was later to lead to conflict with the [[Dominican Order|Dominican friars]], who came to [[Beijing]] from the [[Philippines]] in the middle of the century. Dominican leader [[Domingo Fernández Navarrete]] in responding to the question "Was [[Confucius]] saved?" said that since Greek philosophers such as [[Socrates]], [[Plato]], [[Aristotle]], [[Seneca the Younger|Seneca]], and others were all damned "how much the more Confucius, who was not worthy to kiss their feet"? In responding, [[António de Gouveia]], a Portuguese Jesuit, said that Confucius was certainly saved, "which is more than can be said for King [[Philip IV of Spain]]."<ref>[https://www.google.com/search?tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=%22was+confucius+saved%3F%22 Charles Ralph Boxer. ''Fidalgos in the Far East 1550–1770''. Oxford University Press, 1968. Page 164.]</ref>

While up to this point there had been debate among Western clergy as to whether to ordain Chinese men as priests, the debate was settled in 1654 when [[Luo Wenzao]] (also known as Gregory Lopez) was ordained a priest for the [[Dominican Order]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Clossey |first=Luke |title=Salvation and globalization in the early Jesuit missions |date=2010 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-17326-1 |pages=43 |language=en |oclc=632082284}}</ref>

The Qing dynasty imperial government permitted French Catholic Christian missionaries to enter and proselytize in Tibetan lands, which weakened the control of the Tibetan Buddhist Lamas, who refused to give allegiance to the Chinese. The Tibetan Lamas were alarmed and jealous of Catholic missionaries converting natives to Catholicism. During the [[1905 Tibetan Rebellion]] the Tibetan Buddhist [[Gelug]] Yellow Hat sect led a Tibetan revolt. The Lamas massacred Christian missionaries and native converts to Christianity and besieged Bat'ang, burning down the mission chapel and killing two foreign missionaries, Père Mussot and Père Soulié. The Chinese [[Amban]]'s [[Yamen]] was surrounded and Chinese General [[Wu Yicheng|Wu Yi-chung]] was shot dead in the [[Yamen]] by Lama forces. The Chinese Amban Feng and Commandant in Chief Li Chia-jui managed to escape by scattering [[rupee]]s behind them, which the Tibetans proceeded to pick up. The Ambans reached Commandant Lo's place, but the 100 Tibetan troops serving under the Amban, armed with modern weaponry, mutinied when news of the revolt reached them. The Tibetan Lamas and their Tibetan followers besieged the Chinese Commandant Lo's palace along with local Christian converts. In the palace they killed all Christian converts, both Chinese and Tibetan.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8pgsAAAAYAAJ&q=chinese+officials+and+troops+were+sent+to+atuntze+in+april&pg=RA2-PA17|title=East India (Tibet): Further Papers relating to Tibet [In continuation of Cd 2370] |publisher=H. M. Stationery Office |year=1904|page=17|access-date=28 June 2011}}</ref>

After the [[Rites controversy]] of the late 17th century and early 18th century ended in the expulsion of missionaries from most of China, access to the people of China was difficult for the [[Catholic Church]]. The controversy revolved around the reluctance of the Church to recognize local [[Confucian]] customs of honouring deceased family members. To the Chinese, this was an ancient ritual; to the [[Holy See|Vatican]] it was a religious exercise which conflicted with [[Catholic]] [[dogma]].

The [[Chinese Communist Party]] (CCP) began targeting [[Christian mission|Christian missionaries]] and monasteries during the [[Chinese Civil War]]. Even as Protestants began fleeing the country, the Catholic Church ordered over 3,000 of its missionaries in China to remain even as the CommunistsCCP won the war. After the [[proclamation of the People's Republic of China]] (PRC) in 1949 by the CCP, the Catholic Church was initially allowed to operate independently but faced growing legal obstruction and scrutiny. All foreign missionaries were required to register with the government, and Chinese authorities interrogated Catholics and investigated hospitals and schools. It also forced many churches to close by issuing prohibitively high taxes. The Chinese government began mass arrests of foreign missionaries after intervening in the [[Korean War]], but Catholics were ordered by the [[Nuncio|apostolic nuncio]] [[Antonio Riberi]] to remain and resist. Riberi and Bishop [[Tarcisio Martina]] were themselves arrested and expelled for false allegations that they were involved in a conspiracy to assassinate [[Mao Zedong]]. Mao also ordered the arrest and execution of all members of the [[Legion of Mary]], which he believed was a paramilitary unit. By the summer of 1953 the Catholic Church had been completely suppressed.<ref>{{Cite bookCitation needed|lastdate=DikötterDecember 2023|firstreason=FrankMany |title=Thespecific Tragedyassertions ofin Liberation: A History of the Chinesepreceding Revolutionparagraph, 1945-1957we |date=2013very |publisher=Bloomsburymuch Pressneeded |isbn=978-1-62040-347-1a |edition=1citation |location=Londonfor |pages=115–120this}}</ref>

Clergy who resisted this development were subject to oppression, including long imprisonments as in the case of [[Ignatius Kung Pin-Mei|Cardinal Kung]], and torture and [[martyrdom]] as in the case of Fr. [[Beda Chang]], S.J. Catholic clergy experienced increased supervision. Bishops and priests were forced to engage in degrading menial jobs to earn their living. Foreign missionaries were accused of being foreign agents, ready to turn the country over to imperialist forces.<ref>Giovannetti, 232</ref> The [[Holy See]] reacted with several [[encyclicals]] and [[Ecclesiastical letter#Letters_of_the_Popes_in_modern_timesLetters of the popes in modern times|apostolic letter]]s, including ''[[Cupimus Imprimis]]'', ''[[Ad Apostolorum principis]]'', and ''[[Ad Sinarum gentem]]''.

Some Catholics who recognized the authority of the Holy See chose to worship clandestinely due to the risk of harassment from authorities. Several [[Underground church|underground]] Catholic bishops were reported as disappeared or imprisoned, and harassment of unregistered bishops and priests was common.<ref name=US2022>[https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/China US State Dept 2022 report]</ref> There were reports of Catholic bishops and priests being forced by authorities to attend the ordination ceremonies for bishops who had not gained Vatican approval.<ref name=CECC2011/> Chinese authorities also had reportedly pressured Catholics to break communion with the Vatican by requiring them to renounce an essential belief in Catholicism, the [[papal primacy|primacy]] of the Roman Pontiff. In the past, however, authorities have permitted some Vatican-loyal churches to carry out operations.<ref name=US2022 />

A major impediment to the re-establishment of relations between the Vatican and Beijing was the issue of who appoints the bishops. As a matter of maintaining autonomy and rejecting foreign intervention, the official church had no official contact with the [[Catholic Church|Vatican]] and did not recognize its authority. In later years, however, the CPA allowed for unofficial Vatican approval of ordinations. Although the CPA continued to carry out some ordinations opposed by the Holy See, the majority of CPA bishops became recognized by both authorities.<ref name="Gardam">Tim Gardam, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14838749 Christians in China: Is the country in spiritual crisis?] BBC, 11 September 2011.</ref>

In a further sign of rapprochement between the Vatican and Beijing, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] invited four Chinese bishops, including two government recognized bishops, one [[Underground church|underground]] bishop, and one underground bishop recently emerged into the registered church, to the October 2005 Synod on the Eucharist.<ref name="CWN Story">{{Cite web|title=Missing Page Redirect|url=http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=39493|access-date=17 April 2017}}</ref>

[[Underground church|Underground]] bishop Joseph Wei Jingyi of [[Apostolic Prefecture of Qiqihar|Qiqihar]] released a two-page pastoral letter in July 2007, asking his congregation to study and act on the letter of Pope Benedict XVI and naming the letter a "new milestone in the development of the Chinese Church."<ref>''"Underground" bishop urges faithful to implement Pope's letter, Catholic News Agency, July 2007''</ref> In September 2007, a coadjutor bishop for the [[Archdiocese of Guiyang|Guiyang Diocese]] was jointly appointed by the Vatican and the Chinese official Catholic church.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 October 2007|title=Vatican approval for Guiyang Episcopal ordination made public|work=Asia News|url=http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=10251&size=A|access-date=8 July 2009}}</ref>

The 2010 Blue Book of Religions, produced by the Institute of World Religions at the [[Chinese Academy of Social Sciences]], a research institution directly under the [[State Council of the People's Republic of China|State Council]], estimated Catholics in China to number about 5.7 million.<ref name="IRFR2013">U.S Department of State, [https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm?year=2013&dlid=222123#wrapper International Religious Freedom Report 2013: China]</ref> This Chinese government estimate only included members of the [[Catholic Patriotic Association]] (CPA). It did not include un-baptized persons attending Christian groups, non-adult children of Christian believers or other persons under age 18, and unregistered Christian groups.<ref name="pew2011"/>

The Catholic Church is allowed to operate freely in [[Macau]] and [[Hong Kong]]. In fact, [[Donald Tsang]], the former [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]], is a Catholic. However, [[Pope John Paul II]] was, however, denied a visit (which was deemed "inappropriate") to Hong Kong in 1999, by then Chief Executive, [[Tung Chee Hwa]], who was in office from 1997 to 2005, a decision many believe was made under pressure from the central PRC government. The two territories are organized into the [[Diocese of Hong Kong]] and the [[Diocese of Macau|Diocese of Macau]].

The issue of Sino-[[Foreign relations of the Vatican City|Vatican]] relations has been a highly contentious one and often difficult for both sides (see below). The [[Catholic Patriotic Association]] (CPA) is a division of China's Religious Affairs Bureau, and has oversight over China's Catholics. According to at least one source, however, China's Catholics, including its clergy and religious sisters, are no longer required to be members of the CPA.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Sisters of Shanghai – Congregation of Nuns Flourishes in China (Commonweal August 12, 2005).|url=http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/article.php?id_article=1333|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060213102031/http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/article.php?id_article=1333|archive-date=13 February 2006|access-date=17 April 2017}}</ref>

By 2007, the Vatican had indicated on multiple occasions that it desired to establish full diplomatic relations with China, and would be willing to move its embassy from [[Taiwan]] to [[mainland China]] if necessary.<ref name="blueprint">{{Cite news|title=BBC NEWS - Asia-Pacific - Blueprint for Vatican-China talks|date=6 March 2007|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6425177.stm|access-date=17 April 2017}}</ref> A major obstacle between the two sides remained the Catholic doctrine that only the pope can appoint [[bishop]]s of the Church. Bishops in the CPA were government-appointed, a frequent aggravating factor in Sino-Vatican relations.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

Some, including Hong Kong Cardinal [[Joseph Zen]], saw the progress between [[Vietnam]] and Vatican officials towards re-establishing full diplomacy as a model for Sino-Vatican normalization of relations.<ref name="blueprint"/> By late 2004, prior to the death of Pope John Paul II, Vatican and Chinese government representatives were in contact with the apparent goal of moving closer to the normalization of relations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rosenthal|first=Elisabeth|date=22 May 2005|title=China and the Vatican Hint At Renewing Formal Ties|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50810F83E5D0C718EDDAC0894DD404482&showabstract=1|access-date=17 April 2017|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> In late 2004, John Paul II received a "quasi-official" Chinese delegation in the Vatican. These overtures continued after the installation of Benedict XVI as Pope.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

The Holy See and the Chinese government have long attempted to reach an agreement or workable compromise to maintain their influence over bishop appointments in China. In [[Pope Benedict XVI]]'s 27 May 27, 2007 letter to the bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and lay faithful of the Catholic Church in the People's Republic of China, he expressed that bishop appointments are "one of the most delicate problems in relations between the Holy See and the [Chinese] authorities."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-05-27 |title=Letter to the Bishops, Priests, Consecrated Persons and Lay Faithful of the Catholic Church in the People's Republic of China |url=http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/letters/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20070527_china.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127131133/http://www.vatican.va:80/content/benedict-xvi/en/letters/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20070527_china.html |archive-date=27 November 2019 |website=www.vatican.va |publisher=The Vatican}}</ref> The Holy See understood that state authorities were attentive to bishop appointments because of the social impact church leadership has on the activities of the local Catholic communities. Pope Benedict XVI affirmed that the apostolic mandate on bishop appointments is strictly religious in nature; it is not meant to challenge the political authority of the government by addressing the state's internal affairs.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

Despite the Vatican's continuous appeals for China to grant total freedom to the Holy See when exercising its spiritual authority on appointing bishops, China maintained its tight control on leading and monitoring the Catholic Church in China because it believes that "religion is closely linked with the comity between different ethnic groups, social stability, national security and reunification, as well as China's relations with foreign countries."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-12-13 |title=President Jiang Stresses Importance of Policy on Religion |url=http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/zt/zjxy/t36497.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031107202909/http://www.china-embassy.org:80/eng/zt/zjxy/t36497.htm |archive-date=7 November 2003 |website=www.china-embassy.org |publisher=Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America}}</ref> For the Chinese government, internal religious affairs are matters of sovereignty. In a public address on 13 December 13, 2001, [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party|CCP general secretary]] [[Jiang Zemin]] stressed the importance of regulating religion because of the influence it has on the political and social landscapes of a society. He stated that religion is a basic right that is to be enjoyed by all citizens, but activities should be within the scope of the Constitution and laws.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

On 22 September 22, 2018, the [[Holy See]] and the [[People's Republic of China]] signed a two-year "Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China on the appointment of Bishops", set to expire on 22 October 22, 2020. According to the communiqué released by the [[Holy See Press Office]], the Provisional Agreement aimed to create "conditions for great collaboration at the bilateral level."<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 September 22, 2018|title=Communiqué concerning the signing of a Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China on the appointment of Bishops|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/09/22/180922d.html|url-status=live|website=press.vatican.va|publisher=Holy See Press Office|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930005507/http://press.vatican.va:80/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/09/22/180922d.html |archive-date=30 September 2018 }}</ref> This was the first time that an agreement of cooperation has been jointly signed by the Holy See and China. The exact terms of the Provisional Agreement have not been publicly released but people who are familiar with the agreement stated that it allowed for the Holy See to review bishop candidates recommended by the government-sanctioned [[Catholic Patriotic Association]] (CPA) prior to appointment and consecration.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Rocca|first1=Francis X.|last2=Dou|first2=Eva|date=2018-09-22|title=Vatican and China Sign Deal Over Bishops, Allowing Pope a Veto|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/vatican-and-china-agree-deal-over-bishops-allowing-pope-a-veto-1537613087|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> The Provisional Agreement granted veto power to the Holy See when reviewing the bishop nominees that the CPA has put forward. [[Antonio Yao Shun|H.E. Mgr. Antonio Yao Shun]], bishop of [[Jining]], was the first bishop appointed under the framework of the Provisional Agreement.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Donnini|first=Debora|date=2019-08-28|title=China, consecration of first bishop following Provisional Agreement - Vatican News|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2019-08/china-consecration-of-first-bishop-following-provisional-agreem.html|url-status=live|website=www.vaticannews.va|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829174841/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2019-08/china-consecration-of-first-bishop-following-provisional-agreem.html |archive-date=29 August 2019 }}</ref> [[Pope Francis]] readmitted seven bishops appointed by the government without [[Pontifical]] mandate to full ecclesial communion in addition to the new appointments.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-09-22|title=Briefing Note about the Catholic Church in China|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/09/22/180922g.html|url-status=live|website=press.vatican.va|publisher=Holy See Press Office|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927005518/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/09/22/180922g.html |archive-date=27 September 2018 }}</ref> In a communiqué released by the Holy See on 22 October 22, 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-22|title=Communiqué on the extension of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China regarding the appointment of Bishops, 22 October 2020|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2020/10/22/201022a.html|url-status=live|website=press.vatican.va|publisher=Holy See Press Office|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023033331/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2020/10/22/201022a.html |archive-date=23 October 2020 }}</ref> the Holy See and China entered into a [[note verbale]] agreement to extend the Provisional Agreement for an additional two years, remaining in effect until 22 October 22, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-22|title=Holy See and China renew Provisional Agreement for 2 years - Vatican News|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-10/holy-see-china-provisional-agreement-renew-appointment-bishops.html|url-status=live|website=www.vaticannews.va|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029220735/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-10/holy-see-china-provisional-agreement-renew-appointment-bishops.html |archive-date=29 October 2020 }}</ref>

While the agreement is viewed by the Holy See as an opportunity to increase their presence in China, many thought that it diminished the Holy See's authority over the local church because it shared decision making powers with an authoritarian government. [[Cardinal Joseph Zen]], former archbishop of Hong Kong, strongly opposed the deal, stating that the agreement is an incredible betrayal of the Catholics in China.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sherwood|first=Harriet|date=2018-09-22|title=Vatican signs historic deal with China – but critics denounce sellout|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/22/vatican-pope-francis-agreement-with-china-nominating-bishops|url-status=live|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922163137/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/22/vatican-pope-francis-agreement-with-china-nominating-bishops |archive-date=22 September 2018 }}</ref> As a response to the criticism, Pope Francis wrote a message to the Catholics of China and to the Universal Church on September 26, September 2018 to provide context on how to view the Provisional Agreement.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Horowitz|first1=Jason|last2=Johnson|first2=Ian|date=2018-09-22|title=China and Vatican Reach Deal on Appointment of Bishops|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/22/world/asia/china-vatican-bishops.html|access-date=2021-04-17|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Pope Francis recognized that the Provisional Agreement is experimental in nature and will not resolve other conflicts between the Holy See and China, but it will allow for both parties to "act more positively for the orderly and harmonious growth of the Catholic community in China."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-09-26|title=Message of the Holy Father to the Catholics of China and to the Universal Church|url=http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/pont-messages/2018/documents/papa-francesco_20180926_messaggio-cattolici-cinesi.html|url-status=live|website=www.vatican.va|publisher=The Vatican|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204053100/http://www.vatican.va:80/content/francesco/en/messages/pont-messages/2018/documents/papa-francesco_20180926_messaggio-cattolici-cinesi.html |archive-date=4 December 2019 }}</ref> China, on its part, also positively views the agreement, stating that it is willing to "further enhance understanding with the Vatican side and accumulate mutual trust, so that the momentum of active interaction between the two sides will continue to move forward."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-15|title=Wang Yi Meets with Foreign Minister Paul Gallagher of the Vatican at Request|url=https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/t1745361.shtml|url-status=live|website=www.fmprc.gov.cn|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320194744/https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/t1745361.shtml |archive-date=20 March 2020 }}</ref> Despite strong opposition from the [[White House]] and conservative Catholics, the Holy See and China extended the Provisional Agreement.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Winfield|first=Nicole|date=2020-10-22|title=Vatican, China extend bishop agreement over US opposition|url=https://apnews.com/article/beijing-china-pope-francis-europe-vatican-city-5c5f822b98317f1bb5002887e383473f|url-status=live|website=AP NEWS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023040119/https://apnews.com/article/beijing-china-pope-francis-europe-vatican-city-5c5f822b98317f1bb5002887e383473f |archive-date=23 October 2020 }}</ref>

In November 2020, a month after the Provisional Agreement was extended, China released the revised "Administrative Measures for Religious Clergy." The enforcement of the new rules took effect on May 1, May 2021. The Administrative Measures prioritize the [[Sinicization]] of all religion. Religious professionals are obligated to carry out their duties within the scope provided by the laws, regulations and rules of the government.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-11-18|title=Measures on the Management of Religious Professionals (Draft for Solicitation of Comments)|url=https://www.chinalawtranslate.com/religious-professionals-draft/|url-status=live|website=China Law Translate|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204211857/https://www.chinalawtranslate.com/religious-professionals-draft/ |archive-date=4 December 2020 }}</ref> The new rules do not consider the collaborative process set in place by the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and China when appointing bishops. In Article XVI of the Administrative Measures, Catholic bishops are to be approved and consecrated by the government-sanctioned [[Chinese Catholic Bishops Conference]]. The document does not state that collaboration and approval from the Holy See to appoint bishops is required, going against the terms of the Provisional Agreement. Just a month before the release of the new rules, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson [[Zhao Lijian]] had stated that China is willing to work together with the Vatican "to maintain close communication and consultation and advance the improvement of bilateral ties"<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-22|title=Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on October 22, 2020|url=https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/t1825949.shtml|url-status=live|website=www.fmprc.gov.cn|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024200641/https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/t1825949.shtml |archive-date=24 October 2020 }}</ref> through the Provisional Agreement. Appointment of bishops without the consent of the Holy See violates the [[Canon law of the Catholic Church|Catholic Church Canon Law]] 377.5, which states that "no rights and privileges of election, nomination, presentation, or designation of bishops are granted to civil authorities."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Code of Canon Law - Book II - The People of God - Part II. (Cann. 368-430)|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib2-cann368-430_en.html#Art._1|url-status=live|website=www.vatican.va|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408022717/http://www.vatican.va:80/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib2-cann368-430_en.html |archive-date=8 April 2019 }}</ref>

In July 2022, [[Pope Francis]] stated that he hoped the Provisional Agreement would be renewed, describing the agreement as "moving well."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-09 |title=Pope hopes deal with China on bishop appointments will be renewed soon {{!}} South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3184266/pope-hopes-deal-china-bishop-appointments-will-be-renewed-soon |access-date=2022-07-09 |archive-date=9 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709002647/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3184266/pope-hopes-deal-china-bishop-appointments-will-be-renewed-soon |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> As of July 2022, six new bishops had been appointed under the agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-09 |title=Pope hopes deal with China on bishop appointments will be renewed soon {{!}} South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3184266/pope-hopes-deal-china-bishop-appointments-will-be-renewed-soon |access-date=2022-07-09 |archive-date=9 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709002647/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3184266/pope-hopes-deal-china-bishop-appointments-will-be-renewed-soon |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

* {{Cite book|last=Clark, Anthony E.|year=2013|title=A Voluntary Exile: Chinese Christianity and Cultural Confluence since 1552|publisher=Lehigh University Press |isbn=9781611461480|ref=none}}

* {{Cite book|author1-link=Richard Madsen (sociologist)|last=Madsen|first=Richard|chapter=Beyond Orthodoxy: Catholicism as Chinese Folk Religion|pages=233–249|title=China and Christianity: Burdened Past, Hopeful Future.|editor-first=Stephen|editor-last=Uhalley|editor2=Wu, Xiaoxin|location=Armonk, N.Y.|publisher=M.E. Sharpe|year=2002|isbn=0765606615|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0dAylb29faYC&q=Madsen+Beyond+orthodoxy&pg=PA233|ref=none}}