What caused the Chinese Rites Controversy during Kangxi’s reign?

The Chinese Rites Controversy was a 17th–18th-century dispute among Roman Catholic missionaries regarding whether traditional Chinese ceremonies—specifically the veneration of Confucius and family ancestors—were compatible with Christian belief.12

The conflict arose from differing approaches among missionary orders:
* The Jesuits: Led by figures like Matteo Ricci, they argued that these rites were social rituals rather than superstitious acts and could be tolerated within Christian practice.12
* The Dominicans and Franciscans: They viewed these traditions as incompatible with the faith, labeling them as paganism or superstition, and appealed to Rome for a formal condemnation.12

The controversy escalated during the reign of the Kangxi emperor when Pope Clement XI issued a decree in 1704 forbidding Chinese Catholics from participating in these rites. Kangxi, who viewed the papal interference as an intrusion into his domain, responded by expelling missionaries who refused to adhere to the Jesuit position.13