The Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA) is the national organization for Catholicism in the People's Republic of China. It was established in 1957 after a group of Chinese Catholics met in Beijing with officials from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Religious Affairs Bureau. It is the main organizational body of Catholics in China officially sanctioned by the Chinese government. The organization is controlled by the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party following the State Administration for Religious Affairs' absorption into the UFWD during a series of institutional reforms in 2018.
Since the papacy of John Paul II, the Holy See has pursued reconciliation between the CCPA and underground Catholics who refuse to recognize the organization. According to the Inquirer, the Vatican has been trying "to preserve its communion with China's Patriotic Catholic Church and to protect the faithful who had recently emerged from the underground". The CCPA is in conflict with the Vatican over the appointment of bishops without the approval of the Holy See. At times, both sides reach an agreement - Pope Francis stated that "Chinese Catholics joining the CCPA should not be seen as disloyal to the Vatican" and recognized all bishops appointed by the CCPA and revoked their previous de facto excommunication, and CCPA cancelled a planned ordination of candidates not approved by the Holy See.
In 1980, the CCP Central Committee approved a request by the United Front Work Department to create a national conference for the religious groups. The CCPA was one of five such religious groups, which also included the Islamic Association of China, the Chinese Taoist Association, the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, and the Buddhist Association of China. With some of the CCPA's roles given to these new bodies, it was envisioned that the CCPA would be a connection between church and government, with the Chinese Catholic Bishops' Conference representing the bishops and the Chinese Church Administrative Committee would handle the internal affairs of the church, and in turn by led by the Chinese Catholic Representatives Conference. Following the letter, five new bishops associated with the CCPA were ordained in 2007, all with papal and Chinese government approval.
In September 2018, a provisional agreement was signed between the Vatican and the Chinese government that stipulated that China would recommend bishops for papal approval and that the pope had the ability to veto any recommendations. Pope Francis also recognized seven bishops of the CCPA who were previously not in communion with the Vatican. Some have raised concerns that the agreement would divide Catholics across China because it offers more control to the Chinese government. Among the most outspoken critics has been the Hong Kong cardinal Joseph Zen, who published an opinion piece in The New York Times entitled "The Pope Doesn't Understand China", and asserting that this attempt at unifying the Chinese church will instead lead to the "annihilation of the real Church in China". While the agreement has generally been recognized as far from perfect, it is also seen by Pope Francis as a step towards healing and the task of evangelization.
In October 2022, the agreement was renewed for another two years. In November 2022, the Vatican accused the Chinese government of violating the terms of the agreement.
In April 2025, the Diocese of Xinxiang elected Fr. Li Janlin as bishop during the sede vacante period following the death of Pope Francis but before the election of a new pope, making it impossible for the Holy See to recognize or ratify the appointment.
Theology
Since its creation, the CCPA has put Chinese patriotism and the Catholic duty to fulfill one's duty to the central government at the front of its theology. It also stresses its anti-imperialism and the need to mark a drastic change from the previous associations of the Catholic Church in China with colonialism and imperialism. In the Guangyuan manifesto, the church stated: "We won't let the Church be tainted by imperialism." The CCPA uses messaging such as "Jesus was himself a labourer" to argue that Chinese Catholics should make a stand as fellow labourers and willingly contribute to the good of the Chinese socialist state. The CCPA argues that there is an ideological harmony between socialism and Catholicism, and attributes socialist values to Pope Francis and other progressive clergymen.
The CCPA also pursues the policy of Sinicization, which is meant to reinforce the Chinese national identity and adapt the Catholic liturgy and sacred art to the traditional Chinese culture. Additionally, the Catholic teaching is interpreted in accordance with the Communist doctrine and in agreement with the ideology of the Chinese Communist Party. A bishop in the CCPA, Joseph Shen Bin, remarked that Chinese Catholic theology uses "core socialist values as guidance to provide a creative interpretation of theological classics and religious doctrines that aligns with the requirements of contemporary China's development and progress, as well as with China's splendid traditional culture".
The Vatican became increasingly conciliatory towards the Chinese government since Pope John XXIII and his Vatican II reform, allowing it to influence the teachings and stance of the CCPA. Initial efforts to reconcile with the CCPA were stalled by the Cultural Revolution, but contact was eventually established after Deng Xiaoping came to power, and further reconciliation took place under the papacies of John Paul II and Francis. Despite his conservative reputation, Pope John Paul II approved of the theologic message of the CCPA, stating: "A genuine and faithful Christian is also a genuine and good citizen. A good Chinese Catholic works loyally for the progress of the nation, observes the obligations of filial piety towards parents, family and country."
See also
- Religion in China
- Christianity in China
- Korean Catholic Association