A conference in Huizhou, Guangdong, is an indication that the new policy is being extended to the Patriotic Catholic Church.
by Zhang Chunhua
“Bitter Winter” is paying attention to the “Strict Governance of Religion,” a comparatively new slogan promoted by the United Front Work Department. It implies that the five authorized religions should put Xi Jinping Thought and “socialist values” at the center of their religious meetings and sermons. It also implies that the control of religion by the bureaucrats of the government-controlled religious bodies has not been effective enough. They should now accept a more direct supervision by the CCP and the United Front Work Department.
The United Front started promoting “Strict Governance of Religion” among Protestants, through the “China Christian Implementation of Strict Governance of Religion Exchange Meeting” held in Xi’an, Shaanxi from June 27 to 28, 2024, immediately following the high-level national seminar on Sinicization of religion of June 26. There are signs that the United Front is extending the policy to Tibetan Buddhists and Hui Muslims.
On July 10, the Huizhou, Guangdong, branch of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association of Guangdong Province held a “Meeting to Promote the Comprehensive and Strict Governance of the Catholic Church” at the local Huangjiatang Catholic Church.
The main speaker was Tao Maoyong, Deputy Director of the United Front Work Department of the Huizhou Municipal Party Committee and Director of the Municipal Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau. All priests and nuns in the city affiliated with the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, i.e., the government-controlled Catholic body that is now endorsed by the Vatican, were summoned to participate, together with lay workers.
Tao presented the concept of “Strict Governance of Religion” and explained that it should be applied by Catholics in six areas: “political guidance, group system construction, clergy management, activity venue management, recruitment, and Internet religious information services.” In all these areas, clergy and lay leaders should make sure that the “socialist core values” are at the center of the Church’s message and place themselves under the supervision of the United Front.
This was a local meeting for the city of Huizhou, which is not unimportant as the prefecture-level city has a population of more than six million and a traditionally significant Catholic presence. Although local, the meeting is an indication that the promotion of the “Strict Governance of Religion” continues, and indeed “Bitter Winter” keeps receiving reports that the United Front Work Department is organizing events all over the country.
