The Catholic Diocese in China is conducting a “Red Tour” of “gratitude” to the Communist Party National Catholic Register

The Catholic Diocese in China recently announced that it has undertaken a tour of “gratitude” to the heroes of the Chinese Communist Party.

The Yibin Catholic Diocese of Xi’an Province announced in press release earlier this month, it took all its priests, nuns and “heads of grassroots patriotic associations” on a “Red Journey to show the party’s gratitude”.

News of the tour comes shortly after the Vatican announced it will extend its agreement with China to appoint Catholic bishops in the country for another four years.

The delegation of Chinese Catholics visited several memorial sites related to the history of the Chinese Communist Party, such as the Nanchang August 1st Uprising Memorial Hall, the Jingangshan Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall, the Red Army Mint and the former site of the Lushan Conference.

“By listening to explanations of revolutionary deeds on the spot, watching patriotic educational documentaries and laying wreaths for revolutionary martyrs,” the release said, the delegation was able to “further strengthen the recognition of the great motherland, the Chinese nation, and Chinese culture.” , The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Socialism with Chinese Characteristics”.

The group, led by Bishop Peter Luo Xuegan of the Diocese of Yibin, also visited several Catholic churches in China “to promote the Chineseization process.” Luo was ordained a bishop in the Diocese of Yibin in November 2011 with the blessing of the Holy See.

Notably, the excommunicated bishop, who was ordained without papal permission, took part in the ordination Mass despite being ordered not to, underscoring strained diplomatic relations between the Chinese government and the Vatican.

Nina Shi, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and director of the Center for Religious Freedom, told CNA that although Luo was appointed bishop with the approval of the Vatican, he appears to have the support of the Communist Party.

“After the signing of the agreement between China and the Vatican, the Chinese authorities are pressuring all the bishops to join the association and forcing those in it to show zeal for the party,” Shi told CNA. “This bishop is doing this and showing his commitment to the CCP’s boycott campaign by teaching his diocese the values ​​and doctrines of the Communist Party. This is one of the most extreme examples I’ve heard of.”

In connection with recent diplomatic agreements, the Vatican has seen several violations of the terms in recent years, such as the government’s appointment of several bishops without the approval of the Holy See, including one in a diocese not recognized by the Vatican.

According to Shi, the Catholic Church in China is undergoing a “transformation created by the CCP with the tacit consent of the Vatican.”

“He is becoming an active partner of the United Front, the propaganda arm of the CCP, which has directly controlled the Patriotic Association since 2018,” Xi said.

The Catholic Church in China has been split between the government-sanctioned Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association and an underground church that is persecuted and whose episcopal appointments are often not recognized by Chinese authorities.

In its statement, the diocese noted that during the tour there was also a further dialogue between bishops and priests “on adherence to the direction of Chineseization and democratic teaching.”

The diocese also praised the event, saying, “All members believed that this ‘Red Tour to Express Party Appreciation’ was full of revolutionary spirit and cultural heritage, and they benefited a lot.”

“All of them expressed that in their future work they will inherit and continue the beautiful tradition of patriotism and love for the Church,” the statement reads, “(and to) constantly improve the “five identifications”, firmly adhere to the direction of the Sinization of Catholicism in our country, listen to the Party, feel grateful to the Party, follow the Party, and actively promote local economic and social development with a higher spirit.”

The tour appears to be a continuation of the Communist Party’s goal of subjecting religious groups to government control. According to a report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom earlier this month, Chinese officials have ordered removing crosses from churches, replacing images of Christ and Mary with images of President Xi Jinping.