Pope Benedict XVI slams China in annual Christmas blessing; praises followers in Bethlehem

BY Nina Mandell
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Saturday, December 25th 2010, 4:53 PM


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Pope Benedict XVI deliver his annual 'Urbi Et Orbis' blessing.

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The Pope took a shot at mainland China as her urged Christians there to resist persecution in his Christmas message on Saturday.
In the traditional message to the Catholic faithful, Pope Benedict XVI prayed that followers in the communist country would use the holiday to "strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and courage of the faithful in mainland China" and slammed the country for "the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and conscience."
He said he prayed that God "grant perseverance to all those Christian communities enduring discrimination and persecution, and inspire political and religious leaders to be committed to full respect for the religious freedom of all."
There are an estimated 100 million practicing Christians in China, despite the religion being deeply restricted in the country. Over the past year, officials have become increasingly tough on Christian activities, often imprisoning religious leaders.
China doesn't have diplomatic relations with the Vatican and the Beijing government has even forced Catholic bishops to take parts in events organized by the official state "patriotic church", according to the BBC. Most Chinese Christians worship in house churches to avoid persecution.
The Pope's Christmas Day message is translated into 63 different languages across the world.
He also offered prayers for those affected by natural disasters across the world, mainly in Latin America and Haiti, urged Palestinians and Israelis to find a peaceful way to resolve their ongoing conflict, and prayed for a reduction of violence throughout Africa.
"I am thinking with great concern of the Holy Land where violence continues to stain with blood the difficult path to peace," he said.
Benedict XVI also praised the record number of visitors to Bethlehem as a high point of the Christmas celebration.
"So much good is being done, silently, by men and women who live their faith, their work, their dedication to their families and to the good of society," he said.
nmandell[at]nydailynews.com


I grew up Catholic, and went to Catholic schools, and I never understood why the Catholic Church never stood up to China. The Muslims have never taken crap from China, they've always fought them, and they fought against the murder machine of Mao.