China demands more ‘rigorous governance of religion,’ mandates Catholics study socialism

[Vambram]

According to a state issued letter, the Chinese government has tasked Catholics and Christians to 'thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism,' especially 'General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition on religious work.'
The Communist government in China has ordered all Christians and Catholics in the nation to study President Xi’s thoughts on “Socialism” along with enabling further “rigorous governance of religion.”

In a December 23 “Christmas Greeting Letter” sent to the “Catholic and Christian Communities,” the State Administration for Religious Affairs outlined the government’s plan for religion in China throughout 2025.

Published via the state-approved church in China, the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA) letter was simply signed as coming from the Religious Affairs office. The government first appeared pleased with the alignment of state and religion which had taken place over the past 12 months:

In the past year, the Catholic and Christian communities have fully implemented the [Communist] Party’s theory of religious work in the new era, fully implemented the Party’s basic policy on religious work, adhered to the direction of the Sinicization of religion in China, adhered to the principle of independence and autonomy, held high the banners of patriotism and socialism, enthusiastically celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and carried out the ‘three loves,’ ‘five histories,’ and ‘three loves.’

Thanks to the still secret Sino-Vatican deal – renewed once more in October for six years – the Vatican now has much closer relations with the leading prelates of the CCPA, despite them answering to the Communist authorities in Beijing, and despite the Communist state enforcing strict persecution of religions.

One of the chief demarcations between the state church and the “underground” Church remaining loyal to Rome has been the state-approved church’s implementation of “sinicization,” the process of CCP state-assimilation and control.

READ: Chinese bishop lauds ‘the sinicization of Catholicism’ and Vatican’s secret deal with the CCP

The CCP’s bishops now look set to continue this process unimpeded through the next calendar year, with the Chinese government expressly ordering them to do so. As part of the Religious Affairs office’s letter, a series of commands was conveyed including the requirement to “systematically push forward the Sinicization of our country’s religions, cultivate and practice socialist core values, promote Chinese culture, and push forward the comprehensive and rigorous governance of religions.”

Additionally, the government has tasked Catholics and Christians to “thoroughly study and implement [Chinese President] Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important exposition on religious work.”

Similarly listed among the priorities for 2025 was the directive to “fully implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the 2nd and 3rd Plenary Sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, adhere to the principle of independence and autonomy.”

“We will strive to contribute to the comprehensive advancement of the construction of a strong nation and national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization,” the letter adds.

China demands more ‘rigorous governance of religion,’ mandates Catholics study socialism - LifeSite

According to a state issued letter, the Chinese government has tasked Catholics and Christians to 'thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism,' especially 'General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition on religious work.'

www.lifesitenews.com

 

[jacks]

From Basic Issues of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

Second, comprehensively implement the party's ethnic and religious policies. As a multi-ethnic
country and a country with a large number of religious believers, it is very important for China to
properly handle ethnic and religious issues for achieving long-term peace and stability in the country.
It is necessary to adhere to the correct path of solving ethnic issues with Chinese characteristics,
deepen education on national unity and progress, firmly establish the sense of the Chinese national
community, strengthen exchanges, exchanges and blending among all ethnic groups, and "promote
all ethnic groups to hug together like pomegranate seeds, work together in unity, and prosper and
develop together."1 Fully implement the party's basic policy on religious work, fully implement the
party's policy on freedom of religious belief, manage religious affairs in accordance with the law,
adhere to the principle of independence and self-management, actively guide religion to adapt to
socialist society, adhere to the direction of Sinicization, and guide religious efforts to serve the
promotion of economic development, social harmony, cultural prosperity, ethnic unity, and the
reunification of the motherland.

Sounds like they want the church to serve the state.

 

[Vambram]

From Basic Issues of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

Second, comprehensively implement the party's ethnic and religious policies. As a multi-ethnic
country and a country with a large number of religious believers, it is very important for China to
properly handle ethnic and religious issues for achieving long-term peace and stability in the country.
It is necessary to adhere to the correct path of solving ethnic issues with Chinese characteristics,
deepen education on national unity and progress, firmly establish the sense of the Chinese national
community, strengthen exchanges, exchanges and blending among all ethnic groups, and "promote
all ethnic groups to hug together like pomegranate seeds, work together in unity, and prosper and
develop together."1 Fully implement the party's basic policy on religious work, fully implement the
party's policy on freedom of religious belief, manage religious affairs in accordance with the law,
adhere to the principle of independence and self-management, actively guide religion to adapt to
socialist society, adhere to the direction of Sinicization, and guide religious efforts to serve the
promotion of economic development, social harmony, cultural prosperity, ethnic unity, and the
reunification of the motherland.

Sounds like they want the church to serve the state.

That is what it indeed does sound like.

 

[Laodicean60]

Too bad they don't have a constitution like ours.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Too bad they don't have a constitution like ours.

This whole "thought's" thing is kinda new. Mao is the only other one who had that I believe. Now Xi Jinping is doing the same.

It's odd to me, but the thoughts is some kind of major elevation of the status of Xi Jinping beyond just party head. (He's like the religious leader now).

When your thoughts are "scripture" for the nation, it just seems a good way to kill people to me, which is what Mao was especially good at. Wonder how many millions Xi will kill ..

 

[rambot]

China govt.:
Christians need to study Socialism
The American Right:
A totalitarian state strong arming it's populace into brainwashing. THEY ARE EVIL!!!

Oklahoma govt.:
Nonchristians must study christianity in public schools.
The American Right:
Makes PERFECT sense.

 

[RileyG]

Too bad they don't have a constitution like ours.

Yup. Freedom of religion is a basic human right. Period.

 

[RileyG]

China govt.:
Christians need to study Socialism
The American Right:
A totalitarian state strong arming it's populace into brainwashing. THEY ARE EVIL!!!

Oklahoma govt.:
Nonchristians must study christianity in public schools.
The American Right:
Makes PERFECT sense.

Separation of church and state needs to be enforced.

Religion should not be taught in public schools. Point blank period