China’s president: religions must be free from foreign influence
May 21, 2015
Xi Jinping--the head of China’s Communist Party since 2012, and China’s president since 2013-- said on May 20 that religions in China must be independent of foreign influence.
“We must manage religious affairs in accordance with the law and adhere to the principle of independence to run religious groups on our own accord,” he said. “Active efforts should be made to incorporate religions into socialist society.”
Since 1957, China’s government has sought to control Catholicism in China through the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, which has appointed bishops. The Holy See has given approval to some of the bishops appointed by the Association but has rejected others.
The same day as Xi made his remarks, Pope Francis prayed that China’s Catholics “live spiritually united to the rock of Peter on which the Church is built.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Chinese leader: Religions must be free of foreign influence (AP)
- Pope Francis: pray that China’s Catholics will be united to the Pope (CWN, 5/20)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
