Q. Isn't China officially atheist?
A. The Communist Party demands that its members be atheists, and expels members who join a religion. Education is a state monopoly, and schools do not teach any religion. But Art. 36 of the Constitution states that citizens have freedom of religious belief, the state protects normal religious activities, but no outside power (e.g., the Vatican) may use religion to interfere in China's internal affairs.
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Q. Are there churches open in China?
A. Yes, after being closed or used as warehouses for many years, a number of churches have reopened, and new churches have been built. The service desk of any major hotel can give you the address of a church, temple or mosque in that city. In Shanghai and Beijing there are even Masses in English
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Q. Are those Catholic Churches or Patriotic Churches?
A. It is better to avoid the term “Patriotic Church.” The CPA, the Catholic Patriotic Association, plays a big role in managing church properties and as an intermediary between the church and the government, but the CPA is not a church. Not every priest or bishop in the aboveground, or government recognized, church has joined the Catholic Patriotic Association.
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Q. But Mass in a government licensed church is not a valid Catholic Mass, is it?
A. Yes it is. All the bishops in China are in apostolic succession, and all the sacraments are valid. The Diocese of Hong Kong, for example, has no problem accepting a baptismal, First Communion, Confirmation or Marriage certificate from a Catholic Church in Mainland China. H.K. Catholics visiting China are allowed to attend Mass in an open church and to receive Holy Communion, and this applies to tourists from anywhere in the world.
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Q. But aren't those bishops in schism?
A. The word schism should be avoided. The situation is not black and white but gray, with much ambiguity. Almost all the bishops in the open (government recognized) church want to be legitimized by the Holy Father, and most of them already have their paperwork in order as far as the Holy See is concerned. The Holy See is taking what steps it can to promote unity among all the Catholics in China.
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Q. Are there two churches, open and underground?
A. There is one Catholic Church in China, but it has its divisions. In some areas, the Catholics are one big, happy family. In other places, they agree to disagree, and peacefully coexist. In a few places, they argue bitterly. But divisions among Catholics are not limited to China only. In your own country, perhaps you can find Catholics who deeply disagree with each other.
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Q. Is there a Patriotic Association in Hong Kong?
A. No. Both the former British colony of Hong Kong and the former Portuegese colony of Macao are run under the principle, “One Country, Two Systems,” and the church in HK and Macao both still enjoy freedom to run schools and unhindered contact with the Holy See.
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Q. When I visit China, how do I contact the underground church?
A. It is better not to get anyone into trouble by asking to go to an unlicensed place of worship. Since the underground does not want government supervision (i.e., surveillance and tight regulation), they have not registered their religious venues. By going to one you can get local Catholics into trouble.
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Q. What are the obstacles to Catholics gaining more religious freedom?
A. Since the Constitution was revised in 1982, Chinese can go to their room, close the door, and believe anything they want. But the government wants to control public worship, defining “normal religious activities,” and restricting them to registered venues. This limited space for religion is not enough freedom. For that matter, all NGOs (non-governmental organizations) have limited room to maneuver. Aside from religious practice, many areas of life are hampered by “rule of law” – there are so many regulations that local officials can always find a rule to use against a group they do not like. What China needs is the “rule of law” – clear laws that are not enforced or ignored as the local authorities wish, and also better channels for legal appeals.
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Q. What are the obstacles to establishing Sino-Vatican ties?
A. The big stumbling block is the appointment of bishop? Is their appointment an internal Chinese affair, not subject to interference from an outside power, or is the appointment of Catholic bishops anywhere in the world an internal affair of the church, not subject to interference from civil authorities, as stated in Canon Law?
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Q. What would normalize the situation and gain more freedom for Catholics?
A. The government needs more confidence. Catholic constitute at most 1% of China's 1.3 billion people, and many Catholics are country people with limited education. If the central government is afraid of that 1%, then they do not feel secure, and they are afraid of China’s 13 million or fewer Catholics. Why are the officials afraid of Catholics going overseas, or freely emailing Catholics in other nations? Even access to church websites in Hong Kong is now blocked by Mainland authorities. More freedom of religious information and more room for the church will be a win-win situation. The Catholics will win as they feel happier, and the nation will win by having a more harmonious society, where Catholics make greater contributions. Also, China’s international image will improve.
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Q. What can I do?
A. Become better informed of the situation, and pray for all those involved.
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