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Changing Church and State Relations in Contemporary China: The Case of Mindong Diocese, Fujian Province*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 November 2012

Shun-hing Chan
Shun-hing Chan*
Affiliation:
Hong Kong Baptist University. Email: shchan@hkbu.edu.hk
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Abstract

This study examines church–state relations in Mindong diocese, Fujian province, from the perspective of state–society relations. The article seeks to identify the salient patterns of church–state relations in Mindong diocese, and the social factors that contribute to the formation of such patterns. I elaborate on the essential characteristics of the Mindong model in the paper. I argue that the three key factors affecting church–state relations in Mindong diocese are the competition between the open and underground churches, the mediating role of the Vatican, and the pragmatism of local government officials. I describe the Mindong model as a “negotiated resistance,” meaning that the underground church resists the control of the government and seeks organizational autonomy through continued negotiation with officials of the government. In conclusion, I discuss the implications of this church–state model in advancing religious freedom in Chinese society.

Keywords

Catholic churchchurch–state relationsMindongnegotiated resistancereligious freedomChina
Type
Articles
Information
The China Quarterly , Volume 212 , December 2012 , pp. 982 - 999
Copyright
Copyright © The China Quarterly 2012 

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Footnotes

*

This article is based on a research project entitled “Changing Church and State Relations in Contemporary China: A Case Study of the Catholic Church.” The project was funded by the Research Grants Council of the Universities Grants Committee, Hong Kong (ref. HKBU 2430/06H).

References

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