Chinese Patriotic Association struggling

Catholic World News : Chinese Patriotic Association struggling to retain influence

The Patriotic Association is working feverishly to shore up its influence in China, Father Cervellera reports in an in-depth analysis of the situation there. The AsiaNews director says that many Chinese government leaders have come to see the Patriotic Association as an obstacle to progress in relations with the Holy See.

Although the Catholic Church is theoretically under the control of the Patriotic Association, in practice virtually all Chinese Catholics prefer to align themselves directly with the Holy See. “The Patriotic Associations,” writes Father Cervellera, ”have, by now, become useless instruments, given that a very large majority of believers refuse to adhere to them.”