For the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the state is preparing a military parade of the highest profile. Official religious groups are obliged to celebrate the anniversary with various events. New regulations make religious groups instruments of the propaganda apparatus of the Communist Party.
Beijing (AsiaNews) - The State Patriotic Association of Catholics has ordered the dioceses to hold ceremonies to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. All the official churches are asked to sing the national anthem, to practice the flag raising ceremony, to pray for the homeland. All these activities must be documented and sent to the headquarters of the National Patriotic Association. Yesterday in many parishes the mass began with the singing of the national anthem.
Even the official Protestant churches have artistic events and performances inspired by patriotism and communism. In these circumstances it is also important to celebrate sinicization. All these events are usually attended by members of the United Front, which oversees religion activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.
All the religious groups present in the country recognized by the government, including the Islamic Association of China and the Buddhist one, have put together events related to the 70 years of the People's Republic of China. At the same time, police surveillance of house churches (unofficial) and their members has been stepped up.
Meanwhile, the State Administration for Religious Affairs is preparing some new regulations for religious groups. Under which it will be mandatory for religious groups to propagate the policy of the Communist Party and to educate the faithful to support the Party leadership.