China intensifies restrictions on Catholic activities in Shanghai and Beijing

Catholics in Shanghai and Beijing report an intensification of state-imposed restrictions on religious activities over the past year. According to reports, these measures target various aspects of Catholic life, including the sale of religious literature, pilgrimages, online prayer, and funeral rites.

In Shanghai, religious goods stores at prominent locations, such as the St. Ignatius Cathedral, have reportedly stopped selling Bibles, theology books, and other prayer materials. Additionally, funeral homes in Shanghai have allegedly been prohibited from conducting Catholic funeral rites as of August 2026. Access to churches has also become more restricted, with some cathedrals closing main entrances to the general public.

Similar restrictions have been noted in Beijing, where some churches have ceased the sale of Bibles following directives from religious bureaus. The crackdown extends to organized pilgrimages, which now require strict approval processes, and online religious services, with certain prayer broadcasts and spiritual courses disappearing from digital platforms. These changes have significantly impacted the ability of both young and elderly believers to practice their faith.