Falun Gong practitioners continue their daily exercises in Macau's public parks. The enclave's Roman Catholics recognize the Pope as the head of the Church. The number of active Falun Gong practitioners declined from approximately 100 persons to about 20 after the movement was banned in mainland China. A wide range of faiths are represented in the Government, the judiciary, and the civil service. The Freedom of Religion Ordinance stipulates that religious groups may maintain and develop relations with religious groups abroad.
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. According to Falun Gong practitioners, the group's materials, available for sale in two Macau stores before Falun Gong was banned on the mainland in October 1999, were removed from the shelves by store management. However, the Government has taken no action to limit their availability. Religious bodies may apply to use electronic media to preach. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered during this report.