Communist party publishes draconian guidelines for Catholic Church in China - full text

Priests in China are required to toe the line: a new set of conduct rules has been revealed (actually in February - scroll down for full text), demanding that clergy maintain a close bond with the ruling party and socialism. These rules make the political agenda clear.

Priests in China must pledge allegiance to the Communist Party and socialism and align their actions accordingly. This is mandated by a newly adopted code of conduct for Catholic clergy, as reported in the current issue of *China heute* (China Today), a magazine published by the China-Zentrum (China Center). Church officials must "support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, support the socialist system, and assist the government in implementing the policy of freedom of religious belief," the document states. According to the China-Zentrum, the rules bear "a distinctly political stamp and incorporate many of the party-state's demands regarding religious policy."

For instance, priests and bishops must adhere to the "Sinicization" of Catholicism, adapting the religion to Chinese culture—and thus to the Communist Party's line. "Guided by core socialist values ​​and deeply imbued with China's excellent traditional culture, they are to interpret church teachings and regulations in a manner that meets the demands of contemporary China's development and aligns with China's excellent traditional culture," the rules declare.

Furthermore, they are expected to fulfill their official duties diligently, lead a sound spiritual life, and uphold church traditions as well as the vow of continence. They are prohibited from embezzling church property or collaborating with commercial enterprises to organize weddings. Nepotism, "vulgar pastimes," and the online sale of religious materials are also forbidden.

Publication only now

The code of conduct was adopted by the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association—the state-sanctioned umbrella organization for Catholics—and the Chinese Bishops' Conference. The rules were adopted last December but only made public at the end of May.

The Catholic Church in the People's Republic of China is also subject to strict state control, not least due to state-controlled umbrella organizations for religious groups. This is evident, for instance, in the demand for "Sinicization." Authorities sometimes take highly repressive measures against church activities that operate outside official structures. Most recently, the human rights organization Amnesty International criticized the state for its increasingly harsh treatment of religious groups. Meanwhile, the Vatican has been striving for several years to defuse the situation through a secret agreement with the state regarding the appointment of bishops.

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The China-Zentrum e.V. has been in existence since 1988. The purpose of the association—which is recognized as a non-profit organization—is to foster encounter and exchange between the cultures and religions of the West and China. Its members include Catholic aid agencies, religious orders, and dioceses in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.

Their journal *China heute* (China Today) focuses on religions within the Chinese cultural sphere, paying particular attention to Christianity in the People's Republic of China. Established in 1982 at the Monumenta Serica Institute, the journal provides up-to-date information, documents, background reports, and analyses, as well as historical and bibliographic notes. *China heute* is published quarterly by the China-Zentrum (China Center).

In Dialogue on Religious Art and Architecture in Germany and China – Third German-Chinese Interreligious Consultation, Berlin, May 6–8, 2026 (pp. 71–73) 

In Memoriam: Frank Joseph Shulman (1943–2026) (p. 74)

Chronicle of Religion and Church in China March 14 to June 26, 2026 (pp. 74–85)

Documentation

Measures for the Administration of Evangelists in Protestant Churches in China 

Code of Conduct for Catholic Church Officials

Chang Kuei-Min A Paradoxical Exchange: Institutional Asymmetry and the Limits of Religion-Related United Front Wor yes k Across the Taiwan Strait

Ma Tianji "Embracing the World with Love": Bing Xin’s Literary Path of Christian-Inspired Love Outside the Mainstream 

Historical Notes

Hans Ingvar Roth An Unsung Architect of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – P.C. Chang (Zhang Pengchun) and His Contribution

Bibliographic Notes

Book Review:

Leopold Leeb  Zhang Chengzhi – China’s Best-Known Contemporary Muslim Author and His Works

Bibliography on Religion and Religious Policy in China (136)

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Rules of Conduct for Catholic Religious Personnel

Rules of Conduct for Catholic Religious Personnel

(Discussed and adopted at the Seventh Meeting of the Tenth Standing Committees of the Chinese Catholic "One Association, One Conference.")

§1

Catholic religious personnel shall love the motherland, support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, uphold the socialist system, assist the government in implementing its policy of freedom of religious belief, adhere to the Sinicization of Catholicism in China, safeguard national unity, ethnic solidarity, harmony among religions, social stability, and world peace, and contribute to the great cause of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation.

§2

They shall observe the Constitution, laws, regulations, and rules, firmly establish the principle that state law takes precedence over canon law, actively accept the leadership and lawful administration of the Party and government, and carry out religious activities within the scope permitted by the State's religious policies, laws, regulations, and rules.

§3

They shall observe Catholic doctrine, Church regulations, and the internal rules established by Catholic organizations at every level, and shall consciously accept the guidance and administration of the patriotic Catholic organizations.

§4

They shall adhere to the principle of independence, autonomy, and self-administration, safeguard national sovereignty and the autonomy of Church affairs, and oppose the infiltration of foreign forces through religion.

§5

They shall strengthen respect for the rule of law, promote the legalization of religious administration, cooperate with the government in suppressing illegal religious activities, and consciously resist religious extremism, false beliefs, and heresies.

§6

They must not become political "two-faced people"—those who say one thing publicly while thinking another, outwardly professing loyalty while secretly resisting, or even covertly collaborating with foreign forces.

§7

Guided by the core socialist values and drawing continually upon China's excellent traditional culture, they shall interpret Catholic doctrine and Church regulations so that they correspond to the developmental progress of contemporary China and to China's excellent traditional culture. They shall actively contribute to building a theological system with Chinese characteristics for the new era.

§8

They shall faithfully perform their duties, safeguard the truth of the Church, listen carefully to the opinions of the faithful, care for their lives and physical and mental well-being, and serve as good examples for believers.

§9

They shall lead a sound spiritual life, avoid being distracted by worldly self-interest or material pleasures, follow Christ, live in poverty before God, continually perfect their lives and conduct, glorify God, and serve humanity.

§10

They shall preserve the Church's sound spiritual traditions, frequently practise self-denial and good works, and faithfully observe the morning and evening offices.

§11

They shall promote thrift and reject extravagance, be diligent and frugal, live simply, consciously resist unhealthy tendencies such as competitiveness, luxury, and ostentation, and abandon bad habits.

§12

They shall cultivate a spirit of love for others and service to society, put their faith into action, sincerely practise charity, and perform more works of mercy that purify hearts, benefit people, and bring blessings to the world.

§13

They must not, either individually or together with others, embezzle, misappropriate, or privately divide Church property, thereby harming the interests of the faithful.

§14

They must not collude with commercial capital or conduct business activities in places of religious worship for the purpose of obtaining illegal profit.

§15

They must not cooperate with commercial enterprises in holding weddings in churches; they must not officiate at marriages where neither party is a believer; and they must not demand donations from the faithful or impose concealed fees.

§16

They must not practise nepotism, discriminate against those holding different views, form cliques or factions, monopolize authority, exercise ecclesiastical authoritarianism, make arbitrary decisions concerning the "Three Major Matters and One Large Expenditure," or otherwise violate the principle of democratic Church administration.

§17

They must not indulge in vulgar tastes, violate public order or accepted moral standards, still less contravene the rules and commandments of the Church, thereby setting a bad example.

§18

They must not use the Internet to sell religious articles or internal religious materials, or engage in unlawful activities such as illegal evangelization.

§19

Responsibility for interpreting these Rules rests with the Chinese Catholic "One Association, One Conference."

§20

These Rules shall enter into force on the date of their promulgation.

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