The Roman Catholic Church has been banned in China for more than 60 years. Now, the Vatican is trying to change that. Here’s a look at why an agreement between the Chinese government and the Vatican would be controversial. China severed ties with the Vatican in 1951. That was shortly after the Communist Party took power. China then formed the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, which isn’t recognized by the Vatican so it has to choose its own bishops. Catholics loyal to Rome started an “underground” church. This has left more than 10 million Chinese Catholics with two options. Worship in unofficial “house churches,” or pray in state-sanctioned churches run by non-ordained clergy members. The underground community has faced ongoing persecution. Vatican-appointed bishops have been thrown in jail, and their churches have been demolished. Other popes, including John Paul II and Benedict XVI, tried but failed to open a dialogue with the Chinese government. Now, Pope Francis is considering giving Beijing a say in the ordination of bishops in China. The negotiations are angering Catholics who feel the pope is conceding too much to the communist government. Cardinal Joseph Zen has been vocal in his dissent. The government is free to make any choice they like. They are not going to make a good choice for the church. They understand only politics.