Currently, Portuguese law as extended to Macau provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respects this right in practice. The Ordinance provides for freedom of religion, privacy of religious belief, freedom of religious assembly, freedom to hold religious processions, and freedom of religious education. The Religious Freedom Ordinance requires the registration of religious organizations. This is handled by the enclave's Identification Services Office. There have been no reports of discrimination in the registration process.
Religious bodies can apply to use electronic media to preach.
The Ordinance also stipulates that religious groups may maintain and develop relations with religious groups abroad. The enclave's Catholics recognize the Pope as the head of the church. Missionaries are free to conduct missionary activities and are active in the enclave. More than 30,000 children are enrolled in Catholic schools, and a large number of influential non-Christians have had Christian educations. A wide range of faiths are represented in the Government, the judiciary, and the civil service.