Beijing (AsiaNews) – Chinese Catholics gathered in churches across the country to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Likewise, Protestant churches drew crowds of people, organising concerts and other artistic performances to preach the Gospel to people of all faiths who visited the churches.
In Beijing and Shanghai, churches were crowded with visitors some of whom had to stand outside. The Southern Weekly reported that Guangzhou’s Sacred Heart Cathedral was well lit and people, both Catholics and non-Catholics, waited in queue outside to attend Mass.
In Huishui County (Guizhou Province), Catholics, after leaving their church, carried a statue of the Baby Jesus and a cross (first picture), along with posters and loudspeakers that played Christmas music.
Participants lit candles and followed the procession. Once on its way, many citizens spontaneously joined the parade, whilst others crowded the two sides of road, taking pictures with their mobile phones.
Local authorities allowed the procession to follow the main streets. Escorted by police, the vehicle that carried the Baby Jesus paraded for more than two hours before returning to the church.
However, not all celebrations went off smooth. The authorities in Guiyang, also in Guizhou Province, raided the Living Stone Protestant Church, for “illegal religious activities”. The congregation has not yet registered with the Three-Self Movement.
During the operation, police arrested the Church’s pastors and harassed churchgoers. Church members employed by the government or banks were told they could lose their job if they continued to be part of the congregation.
In Beijing, the authorities also cracked down on house churches, forcing Christians to celebrate Christmas in “private” without any public activity.