China Shuts 400 Temples and Churches in Zhejiang Province

Zenit ^ | 2003-11-11 | Zenit

[Land of the Irish]

Code: ZE03111106

Date: 2003-11-11

China Shuts 400 Temples and Churches in Zhejiang Province

HONG KONG, NOV. 11, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Chinese authorities have closed down more than 400 Buddhist temples and Christian churches in a renewed attempt to stamp out underground religious activity.

Human rights groups say the crackdown had been carried out by public security officials in Zhejiang province, in eastern China, against those who do not belong to government-approved groups, such as the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.

The Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy said that 392 Buddhist temples and Christian churches were "closed" as part of a campaign against "key members of illegal religious groups."

The rights group said four churches and 24 temples had been destroyed outright while 92 temples had been confiscated for use as "entertainment centers."

The center also reported that Liu Fenggan, a Christian, who traveled to the province to look into the situation, had been detained by the police.

China maintains that it defends religious liberty, but in fact it only recognizes those churches directly controlled by the government. It broke off relations with the Vatican a half-century ago.

The Vatican estimates that China has some 8 million Catholics loyal to the Holy See, compared with 5 million Catholics in the state-backed "patriotic" Church.

[Land of the Irish]

It broke off relations with the Vatican a half-century ago.

[Land of the Irish]

Ping

[EsclavoDeCristo]

The Vatican estimates that China has some 8 million Catholics loyal to the Holy See, compared with 5 million Catholics in the state-backed "patriotic" Church.

What's the difference between the two? If they aren't part of the first group does that mean they aren't really Catholic? Anybody got more info on this?

[Land of the Irish]

What's the difference between the two?

An infinite difference.

If they aren't part of the first group does that mean they aren't really Catholic?

Yes

[Salvation]

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ONLY ONE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CHINA, VATICAN PRELATE SAYS

China Shuts 400 Temples and Churches in Zhejiang Province

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I don't believe the "Catholic" church created by the Chinese communist government has valid priestly orders.

[yonif]

In order to lead a religious community you must have a license from the government. They are all authorized by the communist government there.

[Dajjal]

Prayers for China

[JesseHousman]

...four churches and 24 temples had been destroyed outright...

Move along. Nothing to see here.

Don't forget to buy your Christmas decortions early. They're 100% manufactured in atheist China and we've got to keep those Christmas sales up!

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

The government there can authorize all they want I suppose, but if those priests do not have valid apostolic lineage they cannot consecrate the Eucharist. The communists may think they can control men but they can't deceive God.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

I don't believe the "Catholic" church created by the Chinese communist government has valid priestly orders.

Why would you say that? The Vatican acknowledges them.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

ONLY ONE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CHINA, VATICAN PRELATE SAYS

From the above link:
In response, the Chinese government scheduled the installation of five new bishops for the "Patriotic Catholic Association," without approval from the Holy See, for January 5, 2001-- the same day when Pope John Paul II consecrated several new bishops in the Vatican basilica.
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Since when do non-Catholic, non Christian communist officials have the authority to name Catholic Bishops?

[Hermann the Cherusker]

They don't have the authority to name Catholic Bishops. But the fact that they torture enough Priests until some of them are willing to "burn incense to the Emperor" by being consecrated by the CPCA Bishops does not make the faithful or the priests under them schismatics.