Broken tiesCenturies after Ricci's death, relations between the Vatican and China deteriorated with the arrival of the Communist regime in 1949. China and the Vatican severed diplomatic ties in 1951 after Rome recognised the nationalist government in Taiwan. This led to the splitting of the country's Catholic flock between worshippers who follow government-appointed bishops and those who attend "underground" unofficial churches loyal to the Vatican. But China's appointment of three bishops who were not approved by the pope soured relations in 2006. Crosses have been removed from churches, printed religious materials and holy items confiscated, and church-run kindergartens closed.

Source: The Nation Bangkok September 22, 2018 12:45 UTC