Chinese Catholic leaders have held friendly talks with the visiting US Catholic Archbishop of Washington Theodore Cardinal McCarrick on strengthening friendly exchanges of Catholic communities on both sides.

The Chinese side comprised leaders of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association and the Chinese Catholic Bishops College.

"We've learnt from our Catholic friends in Hong Kong that certain Catholic leaders there have become political stars. They've been putting on shows in such a vigorous way that outshines even show business stars. This does not conform with their religious roles," a Chinese Catholic leader said during the meeting in Beijing on Monday.

McCarrick agreed with the Chinese Catholic leaders that crossing the line between religion and politics was dangerous for Catholicism.

In a visit later to the newly expanded Chinese Catholic Seminary, McCarrick said Chinese Catholicism had a long-term plan for the cultivation of talent and a great future.

He also commended the support the Chinese government had given to Chinese Catholicism.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2003)