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Catholics in Singapore and China are forging closer ties, thanks to an exhibition of religious artifacts in the city state.
Both the Singapore archdiocese and the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA) are taking part in the China-Singapore Religious and Cultural Exhibition 2009 running from Dec. 16-22, UCA News reports.
It is organized by Singapore’s Inter-religious Organisation, one of the oldest inter-faith organizations in Singapore, to commemorate its 60th anniversary.
Apart from the display of artifacts from the major religions in China and Singapore, including Chinese bibles and photographs of the Church in China, talks, seminars and performances by religious groups are also being conducted.
Speaking to UCA News, CCPA secretary-general Joseph Liu Yuanlong, who is in Singapore for the event, described the relationship between Catholics in Singapore and China as “close.” He said the exhibition is helping to further “improve understanding” and build a more in-depth relationship between both groups.
Canossian Sr Theresa Seow, who is coordinating the event for the Catholic archdiocese, said, “With more contact between Catholics in China, we would be able to build better relations as relationships are not built by a single event but by constant interaction.”
The nun, a Catholic Church representative in the Inter-religious Organisation, said she is looking forward to possible future interaction. This could include exchanges between seminaries, formation sessions and even a “twinning program” whereby parishes in Singapore and China would be able to support each other.
CCPA deputy secretary-general Fr Joseph Guo Jincai also envisions more activities, such as Singaporean Catholics visiting churches in China.
Alongside the Chinese Catholic priests and religious sisters visiting Singapore was Bishop Ma Yinglin of Kunming, from Yunnan province in China.
Although this is the first Singapore archdiocesan-level exchange with the Church in China, there have been other exchanges on a smaller scale. These have included priests and nuns visiting Singapore for English-language courses. Recently, eight Chinese nuns were invited to Singapore for a 30-day retreat by the Jesuits.
SOURCE
Exhibition forges ties between Singaporean, Chinese Catholics (UCA News)
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