Posted on 08/06/2008 5:49:32 PM PDT by Publius804
Pope Benedict Tells China: Open Up To Christianity
By DANIELA PETROFF Associated Press Writer
OIES, Italy -- Pope Benedict XVI urged China Tuesday to open up to Christianity as he visited the birthplace of a 19th century saint who died as a missionary there 100 years ago.
China's officially atheistic Communist Party forced Chinese Catholics to cut ties with the Vatican in 1951, and the two sides have not restored formal relations. Many of the country's estimated 12 million Catholics worship in congregations outside the state-approved church and often are arrested or harassed.
"It is important for this great country to open itself to the Gospel," said Benedict, who has made the improvement of relations with China a priority of his papacy.
(Excerpt) Read more at myfoxlubbock.com ...
Thank You Pope Benedict XVI for being a True leader of the Truth!!
I was watching Jesus In China (a PBS Frontline show) last night. They PBS reporter ran around with this guy who is a leader in the Underground church and they interviewed a guy who is a minister in the official spproved christian church in China.
Thank you, Pope Benedict for having the courage to speak out. May God bless you abundantly.
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