Any foreign or cross-border travel, whether undertaken for official church duties or for personal reasons, must receive prior approval from the relevant authorities….reports Asian Lite News
Chinese state-run Catholic bodies have introduced sweeping new internal regulations requiring Catholic clergy across China to surrender their passports and other travel documents, effectively placing overseas travel under stringent state-style controls, according to a report by The Epoch Times (TET).
The measures were jointly approved on December 16 by the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA) and the Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church in China (BCCCC). Both organisations operate under the supervision of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and serve as the official framework through which the state manages Catholic affairs. Under the new rules, all exit and entry documents belonging to Catholic clergy — including bishops, priests, deacons and nuns — must be centrally collected, stored and authorised by church authorities.
According to TET, the regulations mandate that clergy hand over their ordinary passports, Hong Kong–Macau travel permits and Taiwan travel permits for collective custody. Individuals are no longer allowed to keep their own travel documents. Any foreign or cross-border travel, whether undertaken for official church duties or for personal reasons, must receive prior approval from the relevant authorities.
Once approval is granted, the documents are temporarily released to allow visa applications and travel arrangements to be completed. Clergy are required to return all documents within seven days of re-entering China. In addition, they must submit written reports confirming their return and detailing the purpose and activities of their overseas trips. This reporting requirement further formalises oversight of clergy movement beyond China’s borders.
The system closely mirrors the CCP’s long-established exit control regime applied to government officials, party cadres and senior executives of state-owned enterprises. In those cases, passports are routinely held by employers or supervising bodies, and overseas travel is subject to political scrutiny and approval. TET noted that the application of similar controls to Catholic clergy suggests they are now being administered in much the same way as regime officials.
Under CCP oversight, the state-recognised Catholic Church and its bishops’ conference allow the National Religious Affairs Administration to play a decisive role in appointing bishops and overseeing church doctrine and activities. Historically, the CCPA has not been in communion with the Vatican and functioned independently of papal authority. In recent years, however, the Vatican has sought limited cooperation with Beijing on the appointment of bishops. Despite this engagement, underground Catholic churches that remain loyal to the Pope continue to operate outside CCP control and often face pressure and restrictions, TET reported.
For decades, the Chinese authorities have relied on passport controls as a means of discouraging defections, limiting unsupervised foreign contacts and maintaining political discipline. Extending this framework to Catholic clergy indicates that religious personnel are increasingly viewed as politically sensitive figures rather than purely spiritual leaders. Analysts cited by TET argue that overseas travel is seen by the authorities as a potential channel for foreign influence and unregulated religious interaction.
The regulations also impose strict conditions on private travel. Clergy wishing to travel abroad for personal reasons must submit a written application at least 30 days in advance. The request must clearly state the purpose of travel, detailed itinerary, duration of stay and the identities of any companions. Applicants are further required to sign a written commitment pledging compliance with all conditions.
According to TET, clergy are explicitly prohibited from altering their travel plans, extending their stay overseas or engaging in unauthorised activities while abroad. Any violation of these commitments could result in disciplinary action. The new measures underscore the tightening control over religious life in China and highlight the growing convergence between political governance mechanisms and the management of state-recognised religious institutions.
