ASIA/CINA - Reflection by a Chinese priest: “The path evangelisation is still long. In China there is even more Christmas atmosphere than Paris and New York, but few have heard of the Infant Jesus”

Beijing (Fides Service) - The Chinese Catholic community lived Christmas 2004 as a profound experience of faith: the bitter cold of Winter in Beijing was attenuated by a warm Christmas spirit and unity of prayer. At the news of the seaquake tragedy the local Catholics gathered to pray for victims and survivors to ask the Lord to give them grace and courage to overcome the disaster. A priest told Fides about Christmas 2004 in China: “As a community we spent our Christmas praying and strengthening our faith. Catholics here are ever more deeply aware of their Christian identity and try to live accordingly. However we also realise that the path of evangelisation is still long. In fact in China, especially in Beijing, Shanghai and other great cities, the Christmas atmosphere is perhaps even more lively than in Paris or New York: street illuminations, Santa Claus everywhere on the streets, commercial sales, Christmas parties, shops open 24 hours over Christmas, and yet sad to say hardly anyone has ever heard of the Infant Jesus”.
(Agenzia Fides 05/01/2005 Righe: 22 Parole: 220)