History of Relations Between China and the Vatican

Introduction 

Between the years 1966 and 1976 during the Chinese Revolution, several Christians from the new Patriotic Catholic Church of China were tortured, persecuted and killed in China (Hsia, n.d.). All these persecutions came into the country as a result of introduction of the new regime in China whose main goal was to cleanse the Chinese society of the old Christian remnants. During this period, all the Christian buildings were brought down and Christians attacked in respective worshipping places and finally killed. This history illustrates the kind of persecutions and assault the Christians went through during the olden days. The fruits the Christians enjoy today did not come on a silver plate but it was earned through pain and determinations. However, with the end of the Maoist period, persecution of Christians ended and the period was immediately preceded by religious and economic reforms (Hsia, n.d.). The analysis of the articles and the rest of sources illustrate that the relationship between the early modern China and the Catholic Church has been vague. 

China and the Vatican 

Historically, the relationship between China and the Vatican or between the early modern China and the Catholic Church has been characterized by a heighten power struggle especially on the modalities which could be used to choose bishops (New York Times, 2018). The Ricci symbol is observed to have been the main cause of this power struggle between China and the Vatican. This symbol was erected in front of the Italian pavilion during the year 2010 to reinforce the diplomatic relations between Christianity and China though it did not ogre well with the Vatican. Regardless of this, the question about control was still eminent as people wanted to know to whom the Catholic Church owes its allegiance to. This made the Chinese Catholicism between the Catholic Church and the Patriotic Church to get divided. 

However, what heightened this war was naming of the Catholic Church Bishops by the Chinese government but disregarded all the Bishops who were nominated by the Roman Empire. The main question which is still unanswered is whether the diplomatic relations between Sino-Vatican is more important than the one between China and Ricci’s sainthood (New York Times, 2018). However, the current People's Republic of China (PRC)’s approach does not reflect similar attitude as it was previously because the regime has finally ended the power struggle between China and Vatican by striking a deal which will ensure that an amicable selection and appointment of new bishops in the PRC is conducted in consultation and at the interest of both China and the Vatican. 

This accord between China and Vatican is also referred to as the agreement between the Holy See and the PRC of China on the selection and appointment of bishops. It is a significant move towards ending the power struggle between China and Vatican. This agreement would also be very important for the church as it would encourage the condition of collaboration at a bilateral level (New York Times, 2018). The deal stroke between the Vatican and China on selection and appointment of bishops is just the beginning but a lot is yet to take place between these two countries for the benefit of the church. However, the accord is not political but instead pastoral and it will give the Catholic Church of Rome the opportunity to have communion bishops while at the same time recognizing the Chinese authorities. 

By invoking the Matteo Ricci, the PRC and the Vatican are likely to benefit from this accord in several ways. The cause of invoking/beautification of Matteo Ricci, the great Jesuit, at Vatican is underway and this is said will benefit China since it would be a strong gesture for the Chinese society, notion of missionary charism and the church. Some scholars have argued that invoking Matteo Ricci but leaving Xu Guangqi of China would be meaningless and for that reason the two needs to be united into a common cause because this would change the image of missionary and how it is being presented in the world. Another benefit for invoking both the Matteo Ricci and Xu Guangqi is that it would provide Rome with the best gift and would make both the Rome and Chinese churches significantly proper. However, an ordinary Chinese Christian would disregard the reference to Ricci as a historical inspiration because of inculturation issues (New York Times, 2018). The belief held by Ricci that the Chinese customs are incompatible with the purity of the Faith does not ogre well with the ordinary Chinese and this is what makes them disregard Matteo Ricci as the historical inspiration. These conflicting beliefs have indeed made it very difficult to Christianize China over the years even before the death of Matteo Ricci. 

Conclusion 

The spread of Christianity in China and across the world was very important even though it was characterized by several challenges. Amidst these challenges, the Roman Empire through the Catholic Church tried to create order the world; however, this also encountered several oppositions across the world especially in China when the Chinese government failed to recognize the Roman bishops. This further heightened the power struggle between the Holy See and the Chinese government. However, it is very fortunate now that the new agreement stroke between the Holy See and the Chinese government on selection and appointment of bishops will help end this power struggle and strengthen the Catholic Church and the Christianity in China and Vatican. 

References 

Hsia R P. (n.d.). Matteo Ricci and the Catholic Mission to China, 1583-1610 

New York Times. (2018). Catholic drama: Matteo Ricci, China, and the problem of inculturation Retrieved at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/03/world/asia/chinacatholic-vatican.html 

La Stampa : 

New York Times. (2018). Holy See and China accord. Retrieved at http://www.lastampa.it/2014/01/11/vaticaninsider/matteo-ricci-onestep-closerto- 

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