China Catholic Church and the Liberalization Policy (1979–2013)

Abstract

The liberation policy, launched by Deng Xiaoping, saw, from the perspective of Religions and of the Catholic Church, just the restoration of the previous policy of full control, although with some temporary relaxation periods. There was the development of the two sections within the Catholic Church, the official and the unofficial, with the latter under stricter control; the attitude toward the Vatican remained rather critical. The Catholic evaluation of China, consequently, was divided into positive and negative. The Holy See adopted a pragmatic attitude and tried its best to approach the Chinese Government n order to establish, at least, a channel of negotiations.