The State Administration of Religious Affairs released a Christmas congratulation letter to the Chinese Catholic and Protestant communities on its official website on December 24, 2020.
The letter reads, “With the advent of Christmas, we wish to convey our cordial greetings and best wishes to you!”
The year 2020 is a very important year for the development of Catholicism and Christianity in China. Christianity in China marks the 70th anniversary of the launch of the Three-self Patriotic Movement, and the Catholic Church in China marks the 70th anniversary of the publication of the Declaration on Independence and Reform."
“Catholic and Christian clergy and religious believers have persisted fine tradition, conducted in-depth study of Xi Jinping’s “Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for A New Era”, firmly implemented the decisions and deployment of the Party Central Committee, continuously strengthened its own construction, solidly promoted the construction of theological thought, taken the initiative to fulfill social responsibility, actively carried out the pandemic prevention and control, participated in the crucial battle of poverty alleviation and philanthropy, and had played a positive role in promoting economic and social development.”
It continues, “2021 is a year of special importance in China’s modernization drive. Hope that all friends of Catholicism, Christianity can unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with comrade Xi as the core, adhere to the direction of sinicization of religion in our country, adhere to the principle of independence and self-governance, and deepen the construction of theology thought, strengthen the construction of management system, strengthen the training of church personnel, positively carry out foreign-friendly exchanges, actively get involved in economic and social development, and make positive contributions to making a good start in comprehensively building a modern socialist country.”
- Translated by Nicolas Cao
