The Chinese Communist Party has taken a new step in its policy of control over the Catholic Church. From now on, priests, bishops, deacons, and religious sisters of the official Church must publicly profess their allegiance to the Party, support the socialist system, and exercise their ministry in accordance with the ideological guidelines set by Beijing.
The new Code of Conduct for Catholic Clerical Personnel, approved by the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the so-called Chinese Episcopal Conference—the state-controlled bodies that govern the official Church—were adopted in December 2025, although they were not made public until the end of May this year. The full text has been translated and published by the China Center (China heute), which considers that the provisions have “a clear political imprint” and reflect numerous demands of the party-state.
Far from being limited to establishing disciplinary rules for the clergy, the document makes loyalty to the regime an inseparable requirement of priestly ministry. Catholic ministers must expressly support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, back the socialist system, cooperate with the Government in implementing the State’s religious policy, and contribute to the so-called “sinicization” of Catholicism, the strategy promoted by Xi Jinping 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 the conduct of priests, but also extends to the very content of the Church’s teaching.
The norms stipulate that Catholic doctrine and discipline must be interpreted “guided by core socialist values” and by traditional Chinese culture, so that they respond “to the demands of the development of present-day China.” The text adds that the clergy must actively participate in the construction of a theological thought “with Chinese characteristics,” accept the principle of independence from any foreign influence, and accept the leadership of the patriotic organizations created by the State.
This subordination also extends to pastoral activity. Ministers must cooperate with the authorities in combating religious activities deemed illegal, fight against so-called heresies, and reject any foreign influence that the regime interprets as a threat to national sovereignty.
From priestly ministry to everyday conduct
The regulation also devotes several sections to regulating specific aspects of the clergy’s life. It exhorts priests and religious to live austerely, practice charity, and maintain an exemplary spiritual life, but at the same time introduces a broad catalogue of administrative and disciplinary prohibitions.
Among other matters, it prohibits appropriating ecclesiastical goods, conducting commercial activities inside churches, celebrating weddings in collaboration with companies, charging hidden fees to the faithful, favoring nepotism, creating factions within the Church, cultivating “vulgar hobbies,” or selling religious objects via the Internet.
The China Center’s analysis
In its presentation of the document, the China Center highlights that these norms represent a new instrument of the regime’s religious policy and underscores a revealing contrast. While political obligations occupy a large part of the text, there are barely any references to issues traditionally central to priestly life, such as following Christ, prayer, pastoral charity, or the spiritual care of the faithful.
The publication of this regulation comes while the secret agreement between the Holy See and Beijing on the appointment of bishops remains in force. Meanwhile, the Chinese Government continues to strengthen its mechanisms of oversight over the official Church and to maintain strong pressure on Catholic communities that remain outside the structures recognized by the State.