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
2020年12月23日，国家宗教事务局向天主教和基督教界发布圣诞贺信。
信的开头是：“值此圣诞节来临之际，谨向你们致以诚挚的问候！”
接着说：“2020年也是我国天主教、基督教事业发展十分重要的一年。中国基督教迎来了三自爱国运动发起70周年，中国天主教迎来了《自立革新宣言》发表70周年。”
“天主教、基督教界教职人员和信教群众赓续优良传统，深入学习习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，坚决贯彻党中央决策部署，不断加强自身建设，扎实推进神学思想建设，主动履行社会责任，积极开展疫情防控，参与扶贫攻坚和公益慈善事业，为促进经济社会发展发挥了积极作用。”
信继续说道：“2021年是我国现代化建设进程中具有特殊重要性的一年。希望天主教、基督教界的朋友们更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，坚持我国宗教中国化方向，坚持独立自主自办原则，深化神学思想建设，加强管理制度建设，加强教会人才培养，积极开展对外友好交流，积极投身经济社会建设，为全面建设社会主义现代化国家开好局、起好步做出积极贡献。”
国家宗教事务局发布致天主教、基督教界的圣诞贺信
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
State Administration for Religious Affairs Sends Christmas Congratulation Letter to Chinese Catholics, Protestants
