Catholics in China face growing restrictions on everyday religious practices

A report highlighted that Catholics in China are experiencing increasing restrictions on their religious practices, which now affect routine expressions of faith beyond church settings, according to IANS.

These restrictions include limited access to prayer books, cancellations of religious pilgrimages, removal of rosary broadcasts from the internet, and bans on Catholic funeral rites in some city funeral homes, the report said, citing Myanmar media outlet Mizzima News.

The scope of these controls also covers religious publications, public gatherings, communication, and traditional rites, indicating a broad regulatory environment shaping Catholic worship in China.

Testimonies from Catholics, shared anonymously with the US-based news website The Epoch Times, describe heightened controls over access to churches, organised pilgrimages, and online prayer activities.

While China’s Communist Party officially recognises Catholicism as one of five authorised religions, the report noted that religious institutions must operate under close political supervision, limiting the practical space for Catholic worship in the country.