A Rare Glimpse into How an ‘Underground’ Chinese Catholic Church Celebrates Christmas

South China Morning Post ^ | 12/26/16 | Mimi Lau

[marshmallow]

Worshippers gather for a secret mass in a factory compound while Vatican and Beijing explore ways of healing fractured ties

It was eerily quiet on Christmas Eve in a manufacturing hub city in Pearl River Delta, with machinery silent, except at one factory compound, the temporary gathering point for Catholics who were singing carols.

About three hundred people came to the site to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Dazzling fireworks were set off within the plant at about 11pm. The crowd then went to a factory canteen for a quick meal and at midnight mass began in a prayer hall converted from a workshop.

The location of the underground mass was kept secret fearing a crackdown from the government. Only referrals were allowed to attend the mass, and photographs were banned for security reasons

But despite the humble setting of the mass compared to the cathedrals endorsed by the government, there was a sense of peace and joy in the air. The congregation shared home-made soup to warm themselves before the midnight mass while many chatted and caught up with each other as they live in different parts of Guangdong. Some only see each other at important festivals like Easter and Christmas.

A dozen rows of benches to kneel at were installed last year and a priest invited at the last minute heard confessions, according to a member of the congregation who refused to be named for fear of persecution.

“More people came this year because it’s a weekend,” said a 48-year-old Catholic worshipper.

She said most worshippers don’t go to a Beijing-sanctioned Catholic church because they only recognises the spiritual authority of the Pope.

The Communist Party expelled Catholic missionaries after it took power in 1949 and it has rejected the authority of the Holy See.

The Vatican, meanwhile.......

[crusty old prospector]

Thank you for posting.

[arthurus]

I suspect the following will occur or has begun already:
Francis, seeking stability for the Chinese church will place it firmly under the Communist Party and will turn over the naming of bishops to the Party. He will allow a Communist commission to name a slate of say, three nominees for each diocese from which the Pope will be permitted to choose. The one desired by the Party will have a discrete asterisk by his name.

[arthurus]

I suspect the following will occur or has begun already:
Francis, seeking stability for the Chinese church will place it firmly under the Communist Party and will turn over the naming of bishops to the Party. He will allow a Communist commission to name a slate of say, three nominees for each diocese from which the Pope will be permitted to choose. The one desired by the Party will have a discrete asterisk by his name.

[cloudmountain]

The Chinese are the most clannish folks in the world, bar none. Too bad they are also the filthiest country in the world.

[onedoug]

God’s strength for the Chinese worshipers.

In the face of the ChiComs.

[T-Bone Texan]

When I was a yoot in San Francisco the answer to “how do you tell a Japanese from a Chinaman” is “If it spits on the sidewalk, it’s a Chinaman”.

[cloudmountain]

When I was a yoot in San Francisco the answer to “how do you tell a Japanese from a Chinaman” is “If it spits on the sidewalk, it’s a Chinaman”.

In Singapore, which is all Chinese, spitting on the sidewalk IS a crime.
I THINK Singapore is considered the cleanest city in the world.