Vatican envoy in Hong Kong warns Catholic missions to prepare for China crackdown

Catholic worshipers pray at a church, in Hong Kong, China, May 25, 2022. REUTERS/ Tyrone Siu

Herrera-Corona's message came amid a national security crackdown by Beijing on Hong Kong in the wake of anti-government protests in 2019, including the erosion of civil liberties, the arrest of dozens of pro-democracy activists, and perceived threats to the independence of the city's judiciary. The monsignor's warnings in the four meetings and details of the archival transfer have not been previously reported.

On a visit to Hong Kong to mark the 25th anniversary of its handover to Chinese rule, Xi on Friday defended the city’s "one country, two systems" style of governance that grants it wide-ranging autonomy not seen in mainland China, including religious and press freedoms. The system "must be maintained over the long term," he said.

In 2019, when the Vatican envoys began transferring the archives, they feared their mission was under close scrutiny by China's state security apparatus, said three Catholic clerics familiar with the situation. A Reuters investigation in late 2020 revealed that two nuns who worked at the mission had been detained on the mainland amid efforts by Beijing to tighten its control of the church in Hong Kong. The precise reason for their detention remains unclear.

Responding to Reuters questions, a Hong Kong government spokesman said the fundamental rights and freedoms of the city’s residents were guaranteed under the Basic Law and the national security law also stipulated that human rights shall be protected and respected.

A publication last year—edited by researchers Chen Jingguo of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a leading government think-tank, and Zhang Bin of Jinan University—singled out Hong Kong's Catholics for criticism over the 2019 anti-government protests. Neither Chen, Zhang, the academy, nor Jinan University immediately responded to Reuters' requests for comment. Responding to Reuters' questions about missionary concerns over the document, a Hong Kong diocese spokesperson said it had "constant communications with local missionary societies. We exchange views with each other on different issues from time to time.

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