The State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) issued a Christmas congratulatory letter to the Catholic and Christian communities on its official website on December 23.
The letter says, "We wish to convey our sincere greetings and best wishes to you on the occasion of Christmas."
It continues, "In the past year, the Catholic and Christian communities have earnestly studied and implemented Xi Jinping's thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era and the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. They have raised the banner of patriotism and love for religion, adhered to the principles of independence and self-governance, and conducted religious activities according to the law. Actively engaging in external exchanges, they have focused on improving self-management skills, gradually promoting the sinicization of Catholicism and Christianity. The Catholics and Protestants in our country have demonstrated a positive outlook of adhering to tradition while innovating, being self-assured, and striving for self-improvement."
As 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and "is a crucial year for the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan," SARA hopes that "friends in the Catholic and Christian communities will adhere to the principle of developing religion in the Chinese context" and "better organize and guide the vast religious people to closely unite around the Party and government."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
