Thaddeus Ma Daqin

Thaddeus Ma Daqin is a Chinese Catholic bishop who gained international attention for his outspoken departure from the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association shortly after his ordination in 2012. His decision to reject state control over the church led to his immediate house arrest, and he has since become a symbol of the struggles faced by religious leaders in China who seek to maintain their allegiance to the Vatican amidst increasing government restrictions on religious freedom.