Religious groups banned from forcing beliefs on orphans

Orphan student Gengga Yongji reads a book at the Bayi Orphan School in Yushu Tibet Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province, May 13, 2013.[File Photo: Xinhua/Wang Bo]

The Ministry of Civil Affairs and the State Administration for Religious Affairs have jointly issued a circular banning religious groups from forcing abandoned children to accept their respective religious beliefs, chinanews.com reports.

The circular also said that only lawfully registered religious groups, venues and clergy, as well as orphanages run by these approved entities, are allowed to adopt orphans and abandoned infants. No other organizations or individuals should do so in the name of religion, according to the statement.

The circular stressed that qualified religious groups should voluntarily cooperate with civil affairs departments in strengthening their daily management, taking good care of the adoptees and conducting various activities legally.

In addition, civil affairs departments are urged to make positive efforts to identify adopted orphans and prepare the adequate documents properly and in a timely manner so that these children can receive financial assistance from the state.