Top China leader says Catholics must act 'independently'
One of China's top leaders told Chinese Catholics that they need to operate "independently" of outside forces and promote socialism and patriotism through religion.
Yu Zhengsheng's Thursday speech came at the end of a meeting of China's official Catholic church that was being closely watched by the Holy See. Yu is one of seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee, China's top decision-making body. His speech could be a measure of how much Beijing is willing to yield in potential dialogue with the Holy See.
State media reported that Yu called on Catholic churches to adhere to "socialism with Chinese characteristics,"—a term that describes China's model of development, which for decades has favored economic liberalization but not political reform. China's ruling Communist Party is officially atheistic. Yu also said Chinese Catholics should adhere "to the correct direction of development."
