Pope Leo XIV Faces Scrutiny Over Vatican-China Deal Amidst Rising Atheism Concerns
The ascension of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, has placed renewed focus on the Vatican’s controversial 2018 agreement with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), brokered by Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Questions linger over how the new Pope will navigate the complex relationship with China, particularly regarding the CCP’s treatment of Catholics and its influence on the Church within the country.
The Parolin-brokered deal, a point of contention since its inception, was intended to normalize relations between the Catholic Church and the CCP, which has historically suppressed religious freedom and persecuted Catholics in China. While the late Pope Francis and his Secretary of State, Parolin, championed the agreement as a step toward fostering religious normalization, critics argue that it has had detrimental consequences for the Catholic faithful in China.
Nina Shea, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute, expressed concerns about the agreement’s impact on papal authority. According to Shea, the deal erodes the Pope’s power to appoint bishops, the leaders of the Catholic Church in China. This is a critical issue because bishops are responsible for training and ordaining priests, effectively giving the CCP a degree of control over the hierarchical structure of the Church.
A key aspect of the agreement is the requirement for all Catholic clergy to register with the CCP’s Patriotic Association. This association, established in 1957, was long rejected by the Catholic Church due to its demand that clergy reject foreign influence, including that of the Pope. While Parolin argued in 2019 that the agreement aimed to advance religious freedom by normalizing the Catholic community, details of the deal remain shrouded in secrecy, raising further questions and concerns.
Critics like Shea contend that the agreement, while seemingly intended to end decades of strained relations by granting China more influence over bishop appointments, has granted excessive authority to an oppressive government. The Vatican’s perceived capitulation to the CCP is a significant point of contention.
Following the agreement, the Vatican reportedly ceased its support for the underground Catholic network, a vital lifeline for millions of Catholics in China for decades. Shea alleges that the CCP deceived the Vatican by simultaneously implementing a ban on children’s participation in Catholic Church activities, including essential sacraments like baptisms, holy communion, and confirmations.
This ban represents a significant threat to the future of the Catholic Church in China, effectively hindering its ability to perpetuate itself. The underground church, even during the harsh Maoist era, played a crucial role in religious education and evangelization. Shea warns that without the ability to nurture future generations, the Catholic Church in China could face extinction within a couple of generations, as the CCP seeks to create an atheist society.
The Vatican has yet to respond to inquiries about Pope Leo XIV’s intentions regarding the agreement with the CCP.
In his first homily as Pope, Leo XIV addressed the rising tide of atheism. He cautioned against reducing Jesus to a mere charismatic leader or superman, a phenomenon he observed not only among non-believers but also among baptized Christians, leading to a state of practical atheism. He acknowledged the challenges of preaching the Gospel in environments where believers are mocked, opposed, despised, or merely tolerated. He emphasized the urgent need for missionary outreach, noting that a lack of faith has led to a loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, and a crisis of the family.
While world leaders extended their congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, China notably did not issue a similar message upon his appointment.
During a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian expressed hope that under the new Pope’s leadership, the Vatican would continue constructive dialogue with China, engage in in-depth communication on international issues of mutual interest, jointly advance the continuous improvement of China-Vatican relations, and contribute to world peace, stability, development, and prosperity.
The future of the Vatican-China agreement and its impact on the Catholic Church in China now rests on Pope Leo XIV’s shoulders. His stance on religious freedom, his commitment to the underground Catholic network, and his ability to navigate the complex relationship with the CCP will be closely watched by Catholics worldwide and observers of international religious affairs. The rise of atheism, as highlighted by the new Pope, adds another layer of complexity to the situation, demanding a strategic and compassionate approach to safeguard the future of the Catholic Church in China and protect the rights of its followers.
The Pope’s emphasis on missionary outreach and combating the loss of faith suggests a potential shift in strategy. Whether this translates into a renegotiation of the existing agreement, a stronger stance against religious persecution, or a renewed focus on supporting the underground church remains to be seen. The coming months will be crucial in determining the direction of Vatican-China relations under Pope Leo XIV’s leadership, and its impact on the millions of Catholics living in China.
