Children, taxi drivers, even grannies are working hard on English
six years ahead the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, and now China's
clergy are taking lessons too.
Some Chinese clergy, nuns and seminary students were learning not
only English, but also Spanish, Portuguese and Italian, said
Michael Fu Tieshan, the bishop of Beijing Diocese.
In
fact, all religious groups in China encouraged the learning of
foreign languages in preparation for the Games. A group of returned
Catholics, Christians and Muslims, who had studied abroad, were
ready to conduct services in foreign languages.
"By then, Chinese churches will provide foreign officials, coaches,
athletes and audience with religious services in different
languages," said Fu, who is also chairman of the Chinese Patriotic
Catholic Association (CPCA).
Beijing has been trying to make religious services available to
foreigners while developing itself into an international
metropolis.
"We have received a growing number of foreign Catholics who
celebrate mass in our church," said Feng Guoxin, priest of the
North Church, the biggest Catholic church in the Chinese capital
which is also known as Xishiku Church, northwest of the Forbidden
City.
Feng said his church celebrated mass in English every week.
Other religions, such as Buddhism and Islam, are also opening their
doors to foreign followers.
Temporary sites for religious services were always opened to
foreigners when big events took place in China, such as the Asian
Games in 1990, the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, and
the 21st World University Games in 2001.
"It accords with the policy of religious freedom," said an official
from the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Religious Affairs.
Beijing's city development plan also includes restoring and
improving religious sites.
Nearly 40,000 foreigners work or study in Beijing where 144
embassies, 18 international and regional organizations, and offices
of more than 7,000 foreign firms are based. Nearly three million
visitors come to Beijing from overseas each year.
(Xinhua News
Agency August 8, 2002)