Underground church
The term underground church (Chinese: 地下教会; pinyin: dìxià jiàohuì) is used to refer to Chinese Catholic churches in the People's Republic of China which have chosen not to associate with the state-sanctioned Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. Underground churches came into existence in the 1950s, after the communist party's establishment of the People's Republic of China, due to the severing of ties between Chinese Catholics and the Holy See.[1]
There continues to be tensions between underground churches and "open churches" which have joined the state-sanctioned Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association.[2]
Terminology
The description of an "underground church" reflects language that was made popular during the Cold War, when these churches came about. Underground churches are also sometimes referred to as "Vatican loyalists" because they have attempted to remain loyal to the Pope and the Holy See. There is no established organization structure of underground churches, though they tend to be clustered around a number of Vatican-ordained bishops.[3]
Chinese catholics associated with underground churches are often seen in contrast with the Chinese catholics associated with the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, often termed "open churches," which are officially independent of the Holy See.[1]
Protestant churches in China which have not jointed the state-sanctioned Protestant church, the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, are generally termed house churches rather than underground churches.
See Also
References
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