In a shocking display of religious persecution, Chinese special police violently raided a Catholic prayer site in Shanxi Province, leaving worshippers brutally beaten as Pope Leo XIV faces mounting pressure to abandon the Vatican’s controversial deal with China’s communist regime.
Key Takeaways
- Pope Leo XIV is under intense pressure from ChinaAid to end the Vatican’s 2018 agreement with China due to escalating persecution of Catholics
- At least 10 Catholic bishops and priests are currently imprisoned or missing in China, with churches being systematically destroyed
- A March 2025 incident saw Chinese police violently raid a Catholic prayer gathering, resulting in serious injuries to worshippers
- The Vatican-China deal, which gives Beijing influence in appointing bishops, has reportedly led to increased persecution rather than protection
- Underground Catholics in China feel abandoned by the Vatican while the CCP installs unauthorized bishops
Pope Calls for Unity While Catholics Face Persecution
Pope Leo XIV recently called for prayers for China’s Catholics during the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China, established by Pope Benedict XVI and observed on May 24. The Pope emphasized the importance of unity among Chinese Catholics amidst growing concerns about their safety and religious freedom. While appearing publicly at the Arch Basilica of St. John Lateran to formalize his role as Bishop of Rome, the Pope addressed the increasingly contentious situation facing faithful Catholics in China who remain loyal to Rome.
“In the churches and shrines of China and throughout the world, prayers were raised to God as a sign of concern and affection for Chinese Catholics and their communion with the universal church,” Pope Leo XIV said in his address.
The Pope’s comments come at a critical moment as he faces the decision of whether to renew the controversial 2018 agreement between the Holy See and China. This secretive deal, which allows Beijing significant influence in appointing Catholic bishops, was intended to heal decades-old wounds after relations were severed when Communists took power over 70 years ago. However, critics argue that the agreement has only worsened conditions for faithful Catholics in China, compromising the underground church that remained loyal to Rome throughout years of persecution.
Evidence of Escalating Persecution Under Vatican-China Deal
Christian advocacy group ChinaAid has issued a direct appeal to Pope Leo XIV, urging him to discontinue the Vatican’s arrangement with China’s communist government. According to their reports, religious persecution in China has dramatically intensified since the agreement was signed. The Chinese Communist Party continues to tighten its grip on religious activities throughout the country while the Vatican has remained largely silent about these abuses, creating a sense of abandonment among underground Catholics who have risked their lives to remain faithful to Rome.
“Since its signing, religious persecution in China, particularly against Catholics, has escalated, not diminished. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to tighten its control over religious life while the Vatican remains publicly silent,” ChinaAid stated in their public appeal.
The organization details disturbing evidence of ongoing persecution, including the imprisonment or disappearance of at least 10 bishops and priests. Most notably, Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin vanished after being penalized for conducting Mass without state approval. Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have continued to destroy church properties and have installed illegitimate “bishops” without Vatican approval, directly undermining the supposed protections offered by the 2018 agreement.
Violent Crackdown Highlights Severity of Religious Persecution
A particularly alarming incident occurred on March 23, 2025, when Chinese special police forces raided a Catholic prayer site in Shanxi Province. According to eyewitness accounts, law enforcement violently intervened in the peaceful gathering, physically assaulting worshippers and making numerous arrests. Several attendees suffered severe injuries during the raid, which observers describe as part of a systematic campaign to suppress religious freedom throughout China.
“At least 10 bishops and priests are imprisoned or missing. Churches are still being destroyed. Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin vanished after being penalized for conducting Mass without state approval. Meanwhile, the Vatican’s silence has left China’s underground Catholics feeling betrayed,” reported ChinaAid in their detailed assessment of the situation.
The religious persecution in China extends beyond Catholics, affecting Protestants and Uyghur Muslims as well. This broader crackdown on religious freedom suggests a coordinated government effort to control all forms of worship in the country. As Pope Leo XIV considers whether to continue the Vatican’s agreement with China, these ongoing human rights violations present a significant moral challenge for the Catholic Church’s leadership.
Calls for Courage and Advocacy Instead of Appeasement
ChinaAid and numerous Catholic advocates are calling for a reversal of the controversial China deal, which was initially negotiated by the late ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick and overseen by Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Critics argue that the agreement has failed in its stated purpose of protecting Catholics in China and has instead served as diplomatic cover while persecution intensifies. The Pope’s recent expressions of concern for Chinese Catholics, while welcomed, fall short of addressing the fundamental issues created by the Vatican’s relationship with Beijing.
“Now is the time for courage. The persecuted do not need appeasement; they need truth, hope, and bold advocacy,” ChinaAid stated forcefully in their appeal to the Pope.
As Pope Leo XIV navigates this complex geopolitical and spiritual challenge, he must weigh the diplomatic benefits of maintaining relations with China against the moral obligation to protect Catholics facing persecution. His recent prayer that Chinese Catholics might “obtain the grace to be strong and joyful witnesses of the Gospel, even in the midst of trials” suggests an awareness of their suffering, but many faithful Catholics are calling for more decisive action to address the persecution that has intensified under the Vatican’s current arrangement with the Chinese government.
