The Chinese Communist Party has taken another step in its policy of controlling the Catholic Church. From now on, priests, bishops, deacons, and religious of the official Church must publicly pledge their allegiance to the Party, support the socialist system, and exercise their ministry in accordance with the ideological directives set by Beijing.
The new Code of Conduct for Catholic Ecclesiastical Personnel, approved by the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association and the so-called Chinese Bishops’ Conference — the state-controlled bodies governing the official Church — were adopted in December 2025, though not made public until late May of this year. The full text has been translated and published by the China Center (China heute), which considers the provisions to exhibit «a clear political imprint» and to reflect numerous demands of the party-state.
Far from confining themselves to disciplinary norms for the clergy, the stipulations convert fidelity to the regime into an inseparable requirement of priestly ministry. Catholic ministers must expressly support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, uphold the socialist system, cooperate with the government in implementing state religious policy, and contribute to the so-called «Sinicization» of Catholicism — Xi Jinping’s strategy to subordinate religions to the political objectives of the regime.
A new interpretation of doctrine
One of the most striking aspects of the regulation is that the demand for political loyalty is not limited to priests’ conduct, but extends even to the very content of Church teaching.
The norms decree that Catholic doctrine and discipline must be interpreted «guided by fundamental socialist values» and by traditional Chinese culture, so as to respond «to the exigencies of China’s present development». The text further stipulates that the clergy must actively participate in constructing a theological thought «of Chinese characteristics», embrace the principle of autonomy from any foreign influence, and accept the leadership of state-created patriotic organizations.
This subordination likewise extends to pastoral activity. Ministers must collaborate with the authorities in combating religious activities deemed illegal, resist the so-called heresies, and reject any foreign influence the regime interprets as a threat to national sovereignty.
From priestly ministry to daily conduct
The regulation likewise dedicates several sections to regulating concrete aspects of clerical life. It exhorts priests and religious to live in austerity, practice charity, and maintain an exemplary spiritual life, while at the same time introducing a sweeping catalogue of administrative and disciplinary prohibitions.
Among other matters, it forbids the appropriation of Church property, conducting commercial activities within temples, officiating weddings in partnership with enterprises, covertly charging fees to the faithful, favouring nepotism, forming factions within the Church, cultivating «vulgar pastimes», or selling religious objects online.
The analysis of the China Center
In introducing the document, the China Center underscores that these norms represent a new instrument of the regime’s religious policy and highlights a revealing contrast. While political obligations occupy much of the text, there is scant mention of issues traditionally central to priestly life, such as following Christ, prayer, pastoral charity, or spiritual care of the faithful.
The publication of this regulation comes as the secret agreement between the Holy See and Beijing on the appointment of bishops remains in force. Meanwhile, the Chinese government continues to reinforce its oversight mechanisms over the official Church and to exert strong pressure on Catholic communities that remain outside structures recognized by the State.
