The new rules will also require registered clergy, who are each assigned a unique identifying record number, to 'guide' their congregations 'to be patriotic and law-abiding.'
Commentators are wondering if the Vatican's close relationship with China lies at the root of Pope Francis's silence regarding the country's human rights abuses.
'Father Liu Maochun of Mindong Diocese was deprived of sleep, he was kidnaped, tortured and repeatedly punished for his refusal to join the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association,' the refugee, Catholic journalist, Dalù, details in a new video.
An article published in L'Osservatore Romano that accompanied the press release cited the appointment of two bishops in the past two years and several processes of appointment currently underway and expressed 'the hope of progressively achieving other positive goals.'
Cdl. Joseph Zen of Hong Kong also accused Vatican secretary of state Cdl. Pietro Parolin of manipulating Pope Francis in dealing with the communist regime.