Originally published at The Catholic Thing
New regulations by the Chinese Communist Party will launch on May Day, adding new restrictions on the religious activity of foreigners in China, who must now ask for permission to worship, abide by rules established by the Party, and acknowledge the principle of “Sinicization.” The universality of the Catholic Church thus becomes a “generic ideal,” subject to total submission to the government’s will. Foreigners and Chinese will no longer be allowed to take part in the same celebrations, and the number of books foreigners may bring in from abroad “for personal use” has been restricted.
