UCA News Podcast
959 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago -Listen to interviews, commentaries, news summaries and analysis on social, political and religious developments that relate or are of interest to the Church in Asia. Enrich yourself with Sunday homilies and daily Gospel reflections. To donate go to www.ucanews.com/donate
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Episodes
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Wednesday 20 May, 2020
May 19, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.62 MBIn the reading from the Acts of the Apostles today, we see a very important departure by Paul from his usual way of evangelizing during his travels. He goes through the whole history of God's dealings with the people of Israel as described in the earliest books of the Old Testament. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Tuesday 19 May, 2020
May 18, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.65 MBWe think we are going to win the trophies that we set out to acquire and then suddenly something happens, and it all gets out of overthrown. This experience reversal is a common human experience and it's very common through the new testament. The first reading today shows Paul and Silas mistreated and abused by people who are very upset and threatened by them. And then something happens. Listen to know more. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publ...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Monday 18 May, 2020
May 17, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.42 MBThere were two very contrasting pictures of what following Jesus is like in the two readings we have today - first from the Act of the Apostles and the second from the Gospel of St. John. Listen here to know what we can draw from that for our own understanding of our own faith journey. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews....
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Sunday 17 May, 2020
May 16, 2020 13:30 - 4 minutes - 4.21 MBIn today's Gospel Jesus is talking about many whys of engaging in love. Life changes, doesn’t end. Take the case of death. Many cultures believe that the dead lives in present spirits. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Homilies: Sixth Sunday of Easter - May 17, 2020
May 15, 2020 20:30 - 5 minutes - 5.22 MBBecause the Spirit of the Risen Christ is in us we can face our own crosses with confidence that God is still at work, that God's will is done even when it is thwarted, as it so often is. About the Author: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 years experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
UCA News Weekly Summary, May 15, 2020
May 15, 2020 15:17 - 9 minutes - 8.46 MBListen to news from around the Asia in a capsule under 10 minutes. You have everything that you need to know right here. The Covid-19 pandemic continued to affect lives across Asia this week. In Hong Kong, police arrested 200 pro-democracy protesters following clashes. Chinese officials are also accused of imposing severe restrictions on the funeral of 98-year-old Bishop Joseph Zhu Baoyu of Nanyang restricting the movement of people and banning parishioners from taking photographs of the se...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Saturday 16 May, 2020
May 15, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.42 MBHatred is not a subject that Christians like to explore or investigate. On the contrary it is the complete antithesis of what Jesus invites us to do to love one another. In today’s Gospel Jesus delves the subject of hatred. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Friday 15 May, 2020
May 14, 2020 13:30 - 4 minutes - 4.19 MBToday in the Acts of the Apostles we hear about the resolution where Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem and they have it out with Peter in the other apostles. And then they come up together with minimal conditions upon which anyone - Jew or Gentile - can become a member of the church, be baptized in Jesus Christ and share at the table of the Eucharist. This is a big message from the early days of the life of the church. It is what was resolved at the Council of Jerusalem. It can only happen ...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Thursday 14 May, 2020
May 13, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.1 MBWhat to do when everything goes in reverse when all your expectations are upset. When people you trusted turn up to be untrustworthy. Today we hear one way in which the early church resolved the matter of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Q&A - The UCA News Interviews - Removing crosses from Chinese churches
May 13, 2020 10:22 - 9 minutes - 8.27 MBEvery week, UCA News Podcath invites experts to discuss issues relevant to Asian communities. This week we discuss on the communist regime in China embarking upon a new form of repression by removing crosses from church buildings. Joining us today is Benedict Rogers, an internationally known rights activist and East Asia team leader of the international human rights organization - Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). The rights group, based in London, works for freedom of religion of peo...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Wednesday 13 May, 2020
May 12, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.54 MBToday's first reading records the basis to what was the first big contest in the early church. They were those early converts to Christianity who thought the following Jesus was really about the reform of Judaism and so they saw themselves as an elite group and so the people taking the leading part of today argument against other Christians. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Tuesday 12 May, 2020
May 11, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.21 MBPaul and his companions seem to get into trouble and face obstacles and projection and hardships as they go around and speak to communities evangelizing about the mystery of Jesus Christ. And you just wonder what keeps them all going. The answer to that question about just what drives them on and how did they find the energy to keep going is there for in the Gospel today. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit peri...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Monday 11 May, 2020
May 10, 2020 13:30 - 4 minutes - 4.75 MBToday’s reading from the Acts of Apostles shows us an example of why good people suffer reversals for the very good things they do and why bad things happen to them. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Observations - Mothers Day - 10 May, 2020
May 10, 2020 05:30 - 7 minutes - 14.1 MBToday is Mothers’ Day. A mother embodies the mystery of life. Mother is forgiveness that fills the world with second chances and new beginnings. But have you heard her voice crying in the tempest? Father Valson Thampu, Commentator and former Principal of St. Stephens College, Delhi reflects on this important day. Produced by Binu Alex For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Sunday 10 May, 2020
May 09, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.1 MBIn the first Reading today we see seven deacons take up some of the works the Apostles were doing. This can be compared with the problem confronted by the Church today. Just like the Apostles, the church leaders have too much to do and can't provide or the range of services and leadership the emerging community requires. It's a theologically sound as it is practically efficient. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit ...
UCA News Weekly Summary, May 8, 2020
May 08, 2020 18:38 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MBEpisode Summary Listen to news from around the Asia in a capsule under 10 minutes. You have everything that you need to know right here. As Covid-19 continues its ravaging journey, Asian governments this week reinforced measures against the pandemic, drawing some criticism and some applause. Curfews and lockdowns continue amid government plans to evacuate the stranded. The pandemic resulted in the temporary shutdown of a church-run hospital in densely populated Bangladesh after 22 medical ...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Saturday 9 May, 2020
May 08, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 4.84 MBOne of the great challenges to believing in God and believing in Jesus is that we need to have two sets of eyes – is the world we know through smelling and tasting, and touching is the world of pragmatic material reality. Are you satisfied with that? Today’s Gospel is all about it. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Homilies: Fifth Sunday of Easter - May 10, 2020
May 08, 2020 02:30 - 5 minutes - 5.56 MBJesus tells us today that the place where we live with God is not only this world we live in now. He has prepared another place for us, one with "many dwelling places," enough dwelling places for each of us to live with him in his Father's house. About the Author: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 years experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Friday 8 May, 2020
May 07, 2020 13:30 - 4 minutes - 4.24 MBToday's Gospel reading is taken from one of the most familiar passages in John's Gospel which is used in all sorts of circumstances particularly in funerals where it reassures people about the way in which they are in the ever-lasting embrace of God’s love. But it's also something that is very reassuring in the process of prayer. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit ...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Thursday 7 May, 2020
May 06, 2020 13:30 - 4 minutes - 4.43 MBToday let’s look at the reading from the Acts of the Apostles rather than the Gospel. What’s important about the Acts of the Apostles today is that it records something that really need to be appreciated by the ministry that St. Paul pursued. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Q&A - UCA News Interviews - Filipinos Onboard Ships
May 05, 2020 14:30 - 10 minutes - 9.94 MBEvery week, UCA News Podcath invites experts to discuss issues relevant to Asian communities. This week the discussion is about Overseas Filipino Workers. More than ten million Filipinos live and work overseas. They work in the world's high-paying cities, particularly in the Persian Gulf, Hong Kong, Canada, and Europe. The Covid-19 pandemic has made their lives miserable. A relatively overlooked group of Filipino overseas workers are thousands toiling onboard international crew ships. Most ...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Wednesday 6 May, 2020
May 05, 2020 13:30 - 4 minutes - 4.11 MBIt is very rare that we have both the first reading, generally from the new testament, and the Gospel reading having themes that echo each other. Today it does. In the first reading in the second letter from Paul to Timothy. We hear somewhat later in Paul’s life something about the hardship of the apostolic calling. The gospel reading continues the whole drama of the role of the good shepherd. Because good shepherd isn’t the only one operating in the pastoral field. There are also evil spir...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Tuesday 5 May, 2020
May 04, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.42 MBThe reading of the Acts the Apostle that we have this time of the year is watching the way in which the Church evolves. In a haphazard and a bland way in response to the reaction that the early preaching of the Gospels gets. How do the Jewish Christian leaders in Jerusalem fit in and accept or understand Churches that are growing up outside of the Jewish community? About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Monday 4 May, 2020
May 04, 2020 07:24 - 5 minutes - 5.06 MBShepherds today are modern. Roam around in bikes while dogs keep the sheep disciplined. But the sort of shepherd Jesus is profiling in today’s John gospel is one that is on a much smaller scale and who intimately knows his sheep and Jesus uses this as metaphor for the way in which we relate to him. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, vis...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Sunday 3 May, 2020
May 02, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.15 MBIn the Gospel today, Jesus shows us how we can come to peace, union, creativity and forgiveness if we allow God to have the initiative and to take us along. We think we can tell God what His business and we should be can say what needs to happen and what should to be the outcome. We don't see ourselves on a journey with the initiative is with God and that what God asks of us is the surrender of love and trust to move where and when and at what speed God wants us to go. About the Author: Fat...
UCA News Summary for First Week of May 2020
May 01, 2020 14:30 - 7 minutes - 12.3 MBListen to news from around the Asia in a capsule under 10 minutes. You have everything that you need to know right here. The fast-decreasing space for religious freedom in Asia marked most stories this week, a fact highlighted by the annual report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Four Asian nations--India, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia—were downgraded to the lowest category of "countries of particular concern" because of their increased attack on religio...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Saturday 02 May, 2020
May 01, 2020 13:30 - 4 minutes - 4.21 MBIn today's Gospel Jesus is saying if people want to come to God, then come through Him. The story, the message and experience Jesus goes through. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Homilies: Fourth Sunday of Easter - May 3, 2020
May 01, 2020 08:30 - 5 minutes - 5.2 MBOften we sheep are to blame for being led astray by bad shepherds. The sheep of whom Jesus speaks in the Gospel can tell the difference between their own good shepherd and a bad one. We are not always so discerning. About the Author: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 years experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Observations by UCANews - 1 May, 2020
May 01, 2020 04:57 - 9 minutes - 9.08 MBToday is May day. Most people think this is a Marxist invention. On the contrary it is an American origin. It is a day to remember huge price paid in the past to get rudimentary level of justice in working conditions. So how does this resonate on the conditions of migrant workers in the southern Indian state of Kerala and how securing rights to the workers is not a Marxist agenda. Surprisingly Jesus revolution is far more radical says Father Valson Thampu, Commentator and former Principal of...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Friday 01 May, 2020
April 30, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.14 MBThe reality of our lives with everyone else comes down to the way in which engage or transact in our relationships. Today's Gospel reading is all about that. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Thursday 30 April, 2020
April 29, 2020 13:30 - 4 minutes - 4.47 MBToday we are looking at the Gospel of John. Our real focus in life is Jesus and His message. But how much time do we spend in His conscious presence., sharing our lives with God. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Q&A - The UCA News Interviews
April 29, 2020 00:30 - 17 minutes - 17 MBEvery week, we bring people to discuss on a contemporary subject. Today we are discussing family relations in the midst of Covid Pandemic. Contrary to the perception that a lockdown is the best time to be together, it actually poses many unseen challenges. Crammed spaces, strained relations, alcoholic abuses and many more. What could be the implications of this unprecedented worldwide lockdown on the family. Two guests for today’s Q&A are Father K T Immanuel, the Judicial Vicar of the Bombay...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Wednesday 29 April, 2020
April 28, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.09 MBToday we are looking at the Gospel of John. Our real focus in life is Jesus and His message. But how much time do we spend in His conscious presence., sharing our lives with God. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Tuesday 28 April, 2020
April 27, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.74 MBHow do we grow and change? When we are confronted with puzzles or uncertainties, we are invited to be different. Todays readings presents us with ways to change. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Monday 27 April, 2020
April 26, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.25 MBToday's first reading is about a case building against Stephen, the first martyr. In today's world, there are a lot of people who are treated like Stephen - for blasphemy. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Sunday 26 April, 2020
April 25, 2020 13:30 - 6 minutes - 5.97 MBToday's Gospel is by the master story teller, St. Luke. The story of two disciples under duress into whose midst comes a stranger. How God comes into their lives. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
UCA News Summary of Fourth Week of April 2020
April 24, 2020 18:55 - 7 minutes - 12.2 MBListen to news from around the Asia in a capsule under 10 minutes. You have everything that you need to know right here. As the holy week of Christians were in the confinement of homes due to Covid-19 pandemic, it was deja-vu for Muslims across the world as they began their holy month of Ramadan this Thursday. China has long been accused of manipulating its economic figures. But this week, it hit international headlines on the revision of its death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic to 4632 na...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Saturday 25 April, 2020
April 24, 2020 13:30 - 4 minutes - 4.4 MBTodays reading of Mark reminds us that every blessing graces an opportunity but it also brings along with it responsibilities. Just as the ones bestowed on the disciples by Jesus. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Friday 24 April, 2020
April 23, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 4.81 MBHow do we resolve conflicts? Acts of the Apostles does give an answer to it. Very essentials to us as Christians. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Homilies: Third Sunday of Easter - April 26, 2020
April 23, 2020 12:30 - 5 minutes - 5.39 MBWe share the Eucharist, and in that sacrament we know that the Lord is with us on all our roads, at all our tables. Then, we go to share that Good News with all. A Christian's encounter with Jesus is always meant for the sake of others. About the Author: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 years experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Wednesday 22 April, 2020
April 21, 2020 13:30 - 4 minutes - 4.66 MBGod loved the world so much that He gave His own son. That is why Jesus came to us. Our faith is in the God who loves us not the virtues we display. Todays Gospel from John emphatically gives us this strong message. About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Tuesday 21 April, 2020
April 20, 2020 13:30 - 5 minutes - 5.23 MBJesus in John's Gospel is dealing with one of the biggest puzzles. Why are humans so stupid and so self destructive? About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Observations by UCANews 20 April, 2020
April 20, 2020 04:47 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBThis programme is a monologue on a contemporary topic that is of interest to the Church. Will COVID-19 change everything that we do now? It is not possible now to go back to pre-Corona days. One change that is inevitable is the domain of health, one of the most neglected areas anywhere in the world. Government's might and resources are invested now fighting an invisible virus. Even if a fraction of that was invested in promoting health of people, the present state of disarray could have bee...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - Monday 20 April, 2020
April 19, 2020 14:39 - 4 minutes - 4.69 MBToday’s Gospel speaks about Nicodemus, a Pharisee mentioned in three places in the Gospel of John About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
UCA News Summary of Third Week of April 2020
April 18, 2020 10:31 - 8 minutes - 13.3 MBThis week, most parts of Asia celebrated the Baisakhi New Year along with Easter amid the gloom of Covid-19. Last Monday, the day after the Easter, was New Year for millions of Asians. Both celebrations were subdued in most places because of lockdowns and restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In Pakistan a message from Prime Minister Imran Khan urging Christians to stay at home during Easter faced criticism as he remained silent on Muslims defying social distancing norms and attendi...
Reflections with Fr. Michael Kelly - 19 April, First Week of Easter
April 18, 2020 08:36 - 5 minutes - 4.83 MBThis Sunday we are discussing how in the central account of resurrection and core faith of Christian believers there is a story about doubt and uncertainty. Nothing can be coincidental than the period we are going through amid this pandemic. About the Author: About the Author: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com
Homilies: Second Sunday of Easter - April 19, 2020
April 17, 2020 15:30 - 5 minutes - 5.63 MBThis is Easter time. We proclaim that Christ is risen. We say that God’s love has overcome the power of sin and death. We say that the power of evil is broken. Yet, when we check the news we see that evil seems to have survived the breaking of its power. About the Author: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 years’ experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.
Homilies: Easter Sunday (A) for April 12, 2020
April 11, 2020 05:30 - 4 minutes - 4.58 MBEaster is the anniversary celebration of your new birth in Christ through Baptism. It is the day on which eternal life became available to you through his Resurrection. It is the day you renew your commitment to living that new life for God and the world. About the Author: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 years’ experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. In that time he has come to deepen his understanding of the distinctiveness of the message and person o...
Holy Week Sermons: Easter Sunday (A) for April 12, 2020
April 11, 2020 05:30 - 4 minutes - 4.58 MBEaster is the anniversary celebration of your new birth in Christ through Baptism. It is the day on which eternal life became available to you through his Resurrection. It is the day you renew your commitment to living that new life for God and the world. About the Author: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 years’ experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. In that time he has come to deepen his understanding of the distinctiveness of the message and...
UCA News Summary of Second Week of April 2020
April 10, 2020 14:00 - 7 minutes - 7.14 MBIn the Catholic world, there has been some plain talk from the Vatican. Pope Francis has accused some European leaders of embracing Hitler-style populism. Church leaders across many countries welcomed the release of Australian 78-year-old Cardinal George Pell who served 400 days of his sentence after being convicted of sexually abusing two choir boys in 1996. People in jails in Asian countries are becoming easy prey to the Covid-19 pandemic. China has relaxed a crackdown on unofficial religi...