Worshippers attend a Mass at a Catholic Church in the urban area of Changzhi, Shanxi province, on Jan 22. Changzhi is one of the oldest Catholic dioceses in China, and its estimated 60,000 followers can worship at more than 70 churches spread across the city's urban and rural areas. XU WEI/CHINA DAILY

In its 2015 work plan, SARA said it would encourage the religious groups to undertake charitable acts and provide nursing home services in their dioceses.

Ding said it would be natural for Changzhi diocese to launch a nursing home program because many of the priests, nuns, and lay staff have received training as paramedics. "However, if we are to start a nursing home, we want to make it a professional one, somewhere elderly people will feel at home," he said, adding that the diocese's "good relationship" with the city's religious bureau enables the church to play an active role in social affairs.

"We don't want political power. We spend all our income on social activities, to help children and the disabled. We try to ensure that everything we do is transparent to the authorities and there's nothing mysterious about our activities, so I don't see why we can't all just get along," he said.

The harmonious relationship between the church and local government has been mutually beneficial, and the authorities donated 5 million yuan ($800,000) toward the construction of the main cathedral of the diocese in the north of the city.

According to Song Fuyi, a CPCA priest in urban Changzhi, the growing social acceptability of religion has enabled the church to play a bigger role in society. "Compared with years ago, nowadays there's a marked difference in reaction when you tell people you're a Catholic," he said.

However, despite all the positives, official support from the authorities varies from area to area, and it's impossible for churches to rely on local governments as their main source of income.

Ding said that as one of the oldest dioceses in China, Changzhi is home to a large number of devout people who are willing to devote their time to charitable work. "That means a large number of the congregation is assisting with church activities," he said.

The diocese is spreading the word across China, too: More than 80 priests in Catholic churches nationwide were born in Changzhi, a fact that Ding ascribes to the piety of believers in the city.

Cheng Guoqing said Catholicism has proliferated in the city because of strong religious belief at the family level. "Every member of my family is a Catholic. As believers, we are required to practice what religion teaches in our daily lives. That's how our children follow suit in terms of beliefs," the 64-year-old said.

The city's religious spirit has been strong for a long time, and parents even attempted to pass on their beliefs in secret during the "cultural revolution" when all religious activity was outlawed.