Chinese musicians rock the way to heaven

THIS rock band does more than just play rock music to entertain young people in southern China.

They use their music to bring Catholics closer to God and tell others about their faith.

Margaret, the rock band, has its genesis in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Nanning, in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 2010. Its members, aged 20-26, comprise a vocalist, two guitarists, a bass guitarist, a synthesizer player and a drummer. Three of them are Catholics.

Nicholas Zhang Xiongtao, the 24-year-old Catholic vocalist, said they owe it to the parish for giving them a room for regular practice.

“Rock music has various styles, some of which carry and instill a negative sense of the obscene, violence and death,” said Zhang. However, contrary to what people might think, “Catholic rock music on the other hand is not monotonous” he said. “We hope to influence people with our joyful and passionate music,” he added.

With support from the parish priest, Father John Baptist Tan Jingtuan, they have performed at Christmas, Easter and other Church feasts. This Easter they organized a rock concert at the church.

Report from ucanews.com