A human rights advocate is urging Pope Leo XIV to reconsider the Vatican’s approach to China, arguing that Beijing’s treatment of Christians has reached its worst point in decades and that the Holy See should take a tougher stance before renewing its agreement with China on bishop appointments.
In a July 16 op-ed published by Union of Catholic Asian News, Fortify Rights senior director Benedict Rogers wrote that persecution of Christians under Chinese leader Xi Jinping has intensified to levels “not seen perhaps since the Cultural Revolution” and the Vatican’s response has been “disturbing.”
“It is no exaggeration to say that this is the darkest time since the Mao era for Christians — Catholics and Protestants — and it shows no sign of easing any time soon,” Rogers wrote.
Rogers cited a recent Telegraph report detailing arrests of Christians attending unregistered churches, arguing the campaign reflects what he described as an effort to force loyalty to Xi over religious belief. He said China’s decade-old policy of “Sinicization of religion” has resulted in state-controlled churches displaying images of Xi alongside or instead of religious imagery, installing surveillance cameras, and destroying crosses and churches.
The commentary also highlighted the recent release of Pastor Ezra Jin after nearly nine months in detention, calling it a reason to intensify advocacy for other imprisoned Christian leaders rather than ease pressure on Beijing. Rogers noted that he and his colleagues worked alongside Jin’s daughter to press for the pastor’s release and noted that President Donald Trump also raised Jin’s case during a private meeting with Xi.
While Jin’s release “means the world” to his family, the development “is but a fig-leaf covering far wider, darker, and more intense repression of others, including the continued detention of eight other Zion Church pastors and leaders,” Rogers warned.
“As I wrote just over a week ago, we must not allow Pastor Jin’s release to be an excuse to rest. We must take his release as evidence that advocacy — and prayer — can work, and we must redouble our efforts to free many others jailed for their faith in China,” he continued….
Rogers called on Pope Leo to pray publicly for Christians in China during the Sunday Angelus and specifically mention imprisoned Hong Kong Catholic publisher Jimmy Lai, a Catholic and outspoken pro-democracy advocate who was sentenced to 20 years in prison earlier this year under China’s national security law.
Rogers commended Pope Leo for receiving Lai’s wife and daughter at a General Audience in October 2025, saying the Pope set an excellent example in this gesture; he also urged the Pope to build on this by praying publicly for Lai.
He also urged Pope Leo to signal that the Vatican’s agreement with Beijing on the appointment of bishops, which is scheduled for renewal in 2028, could be suspended unless religious freedom conditions improve, including the release of jailed Catholic bishops, priests, and Protestant pastors.
The commentary also criticized the U.S.-China Catholic Association, which Rogers said has faced accusations of advancing the Chinese Communist Party’s interests. While emphasizing that he supports dialogue with the Chinese people, Rogers argued engagement with Beijing should place religious freedom at the center of any future discussions….
By Mary Rose in Zeale
Yes it’s high time that the Vatican needs to take China seriously. The persecution of Catholics and Christians should never be accepted under any circumstances. The Vatican should be the ones that appoints bishops not China. Jimmy Lai should be released immediately. Our Lady of Fatima Pray for the Pope and for China.
America gets lectures from the Pope for stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons. China does not get lectures from the Pope for killing its own civilians. America gets preached to for allowing the death penalty for murderers. China does not get preached to for being a murderer.
The dissonance you recorded in Pope Leo’s stances, I am guessing, comes from the fact that China is a very dangerous enemy of religion and the pope is treading softly under the mistaken impression that Xi Jinping cares what he thinks and will regard him favorably if he continues this policy of appeasement. America in contrast, is a friend of religion and it stands to reason that the pope would use religion to scold America into conformity with his viewpoints. From Xi Jinping’s point of view, he sees this incongruity as working in his favor as the pope’s exertions seem to be bound up with those he thinks he can control or at least easily influence and not bound up with the likes of Xi Jinping whom he fears. Well, that’s my guess.
Would popes allow Mr. Trump or Ms. Harris to approve of or veto bishop appointments in the US?
Why the secrecy about the agreement (when Pope Francis promised the most transparent Vatican in history)?
President Newsom will put us on the same footing as Communist China. He’s a devout Catholic and even went to Santa Clara University. He’s smarter and more compassionate than readers here, for sure. The pope wouldn’t dare appoint bishops in the US without consulting President Newsom. His campaign staff is already working on a secret agreement. If we don’t elect Gavin president, who knows what might happen? One of those right-wingers like Barron, Cordileone, Paprocki, Daly, Coakley or some other unenlightened bishop might even be named a Cardinal!
Remember, vote early and vote often. And, get your friends, fellow travelers and landscapers to vote.
Are there Fake Voters for Democrats here?
Lord, hear our prayers, Amen