China’s Underground Catholic Churches Resist Mounting Pressure from Beijing to Control Religious Activity

On a windy evening in the hills of Mindong in the south-eastern Chinese province of Fujian the faithful are gathering for a service at one of the many underground churches.

This is the Catholic heartland of China and the followers here pledge loyalty to the Pope and the Vatican, not the Chinese Government and its sponsored church called the Patriotic Church.

The Catholics of Mindong are in silent rebellion against a deal that is expected within months.

It will re-establish relations between China and the Vatican that were cut by the Communist Party 70 years ago.

China wants more power to choose bishops and the Vatican wants a greater stake and access in what could soon be the biggest Christian country in the world.

There are an estimated 100 million Christians in China but most are Protestants.

Catholics in China number about 12 million and are split down the middle between the Patriotic Church and the underground Church who fear they will lose their religious rights in the landmark deal.

Underground Bishops operate without Government approval

The underground Catholics at Mindong are in the firing line and more than 1,000 turned up in act of strength and defiance at last Wednesday’s service.

Their Vatican-appointed Bishop, Guo Xijin, was detained at the start of holy week by Chinese authorities. He will not be celebrating Easter mass and has been taken on an “enforced holiday”.

Instead, the Chinese Authorities have told the faithful at Mindong they will…