(Fujian, China) In a rare occurrence, a Catholic bishop from China led a delegation to the contentious region of Xinjiang. The group promoted the Communist Party’s “patriotism” political doctrine to local religious figures.
Propoganda trip to Xinjiang
Catholic priests and friars from all over Fujian Province traveled to Xinjiang for “patriotic education.” The official website of the Catholic Church in Fujian Province reported this delegation went in response to the requirements for the sinicization of religion. According to reports, the purpose was to cultivate and enhance the friars’ love for their country, sense of national identity, and responsibility towards the nation’s destiny.
The Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association and the Bishops’ Conference of Catholic Church in China organized the trip under the leadership of Bishop Vincent Zhan Silu.
White washing genocide
“Through these patriotic education’s practical activities,” the report added, “participants recognized that Xinjiang is an inseparable part of China’s territory, and that all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are closely connected members of the Chinese nation.”
Xinjiang has drawn international attention due to allegations of mass detention and genocide of ethnic minorities, including the predominantly Muslim Uyghur population.
Politics and religion
Bishop Vincent Zhan Silu encouraged all deacons and friars to make full use of this “education” activities by deeply understanding its significance. He urged those traveling to lay a solid foundation to become Catholic clergy who “are politically reliable, have noble characters and religious accomplishments, and are able to play their role at critical times.” The goal is to better lead the faithful down the path of loving the country and loving religion.
“Patriotic eductation”
Patriotic education was initiated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) after the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident. This targets the youth through propaganda and policies aimed at maintaining the Party’s control over the country.
This year, on January 1st, the Chinese government began implementing the “Patriotic Education Law,” aimed at promoting large-scale domestic propaganda efforts. The detailed guidelines in the law include instructions on how state-approved religious organizations and clergy should cooperate with these propaganda activities.
Bishop Vincent Zhan Silu
Zhan Silu (born March 13, 1961; Christian name: Vincent) is a Chinese Catholic bishop and a member of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. He was excommunicated by the Pope for 18 years, but after the signing of the provisional Vatican-China agreement on the appointment of bishops in 2018, Pope Francis lifted his excommunication on September 22 of that year. Zhan currently serves as the diocesan bishop of Funing and vice-president of the Bishop’s Conference of Catholic Church in China. Over the years, Zhan has been a strong advocate of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association.
This patriotic education trip is a clear example of religious figures bad actors for CCP propaganda. The aim is to show religious leaders in Xinjiang that religious organizations can “thrive” as long as they submit to Communist leadership, while also sending a message to the international community that religious freedom in Xinjiang is intact and that everything is supposedly in good order.
~Gao Zhensai, Special Correspondent of ChinaAid