Christmas poses difficulties for underground priests in China

Published: 2003-12-22

HONG KONG (CNS) -- For many Catholics in China's underground church, Christmas is always a time to test their ability to protect the priests who preside at liturgical services that highlight the seasonal celebration. Priests unaffiliated with the government-approved church community said that one of their most difficult challenges is to find a suitable place to celebrate Christmas Masses, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. In some cases, priests perform some liturgical celebrations weeks before Christmas in order to not draw attention to their work. Of the four major Catholic feasts in China -- Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, and the Assumption -- Christmas by far draws the most people because most Catholic peasants are free from farming at that time of year.

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