Overview
- Human Rights Watch reported that authorities are pushing Rome-loyal Catholics into the state system through detentions, disappearances, and house arrest of clergy.
- New rules adopted in December 2025 require priests and bishops to hand over passports to state-backed “Two Associations” and file written travel requests at least 30 days in advance.
- At least 10 bishops approved by the Vatican are in indefinite detention for resisting state policies, according to the report.
- HRW also describes forced political training for clergy and tighter controls on worship, including service registration, curbs on church-run charity, and a ban on teaching children the faith at home.
- China rejected the claims as biased and said it protects religious freedom, while the 2018 arrangement that lets Beijing propose bishop candidates with a papal veto remains a point of dispute.