Opposition grows to controversial deal between Beijing and the Vatican
(CNN)A long-expected, controversial deal between the Chinese government and Catholic leaders in the Vatican has sparked opposition, including inside the Church itself. The provisional agreement, which will see the Vatican recognize the legitimacy of bishops appointed by the Chinese government, comes at a time when the ruling Communist Party is cracking down on “illegal” Christian groups in the country. Officially, there are about 6 million Catholics in China, although the real number could be more than twice that when counting followers in so-called underground, or unl