I hope that this NY Times Article shows that there is a genuine improvement in the condition of Chinese Catholics. There is a crying need for education about the Church there: many Chinese reportedly think of Catholics and Protestants (who seem to be on slightly better terms with the government, probably since the Vatican is a sovereign nation) belonging to completely different faiths. Oh yeah, and perhaps their prayers and example may do something about a government notorious for its callousness to the human person.

God willing, things may ease for the Catholics, but in the meantime we should not forget those who are still suffering. Check out the Cardinal Kung Foundation to see what is still being done to Christians, nearly 2000 years after the Roman persecutions.