Can the Catholic faith serve politics? That’s what China wants
Observers question whether religious interpretations can conform with the nation’s needs
China has asked its officially sanctioned Catholic body to interpret the Vatican’s teachings and dogmas to conform with the mainland’s developments and traditional culture, as part of its push to localise religions.
Top political adviser Yu Zhengsheng, the fourth-ranked member of the Communist Party, met leaders of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association on Wednesday as it celebrated its 60th anniversary at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Yu called on the association to adhere to the sinicization of the religion, Xinhua reported.
“Interpretations of the teachings and dogmas should match the needs of China’s development and the great traditional culture ... and proactively fit into the Chinese characteristics of a socialist society,” Xinhua quoted him as telling the group.
Yu also hoped the association would strengthen training for followers and clergy, and ensure the leadership of the church was held firmly in the hands of those who loved the nation and religion.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for the sinicization of religions in late 2015. At a key national religious work conference last April, he said localisation of faith was an important step to guide religions to fit socialist society.