Posted on 09/05/2006 3:19:45 PM PDT by PanzerKardinal
Rome (AsiaNews) – Police of Pingtan (Fujian) have destroyed a church in Yutouchang village and have sworn to demolish another in a neighbouring village.
Around 500 policemen and local officials appeared at 8am (local time) on 1 September to destroy a church of the unofficial community of Fujian. The church stood in Yutouchang village on the islet of Pingtang off Fuzhou (Fujian). For some time, the island, not far from the Chinese coast, has hosted at least 10,000 unofficial Catholics.
AsiaNews sources in China revealed that the police arrived with bulldozers to destroy the building – illegal according to Chinese law – and they beat some believers who sought to stop the demolition. Two people were injured. The church was completed in July 2006: covering an area of 1000 square metres, it cost 400,000 yuan (40,000 euros).
The police also warned that in the coming days they will destroy another church that is under construction in Ao Qian village. In recent years, Ao Qian’s community of 400 believers, mostly fishermen, contributed tithes to raise more than 500,000 yuan to build the church. The building covers an area of 250 square metres and has more than one floor. The AsiaNews sources said: “Our people sacrificed themselves, even saving on food, to be able to build this church. But now the government ignores the blood and sweat of these poor people and is destroying everything. All this is completely ridiculous and we feel pained and indignant!”
The police justify these demolitions by citing “security reasons”. China allows the practice of religion only in places of worship registered by the Religious Affairs Department and considers practice in illegal places of worship to be a threat to security.
In Fujian, there is a strong unofficial community that refuses to be registered for fear that it would have to submit to controls by the Patriotic Association, which aims to create a national church detached from the Holy See.
Last year, their pastor was arrested and several parishoners were beaten up.
Here's the article. http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=3816
"Rome (AsiaNews /KF) - Father Lin Daixian, 40, an underground Roman Catholic priest belonging to the Pingtan parish of the Fuzhou diocese (Fujian), a seminarian and 9 parishioners were arrested by Chinese security personnel on July 25 at approximately 8 o’clock in the evening (Fujian time). The arrest was carried out during the celebration of a private Holy Mass in a private home in Pingtan, attended by approximately 50 faithful praying for the recovery of a cancer parishioner.
"In arresting Father Lin Daixian, the security police beat savagely the parishioners who tried in vain to prevent the arrest of their priest. In the process, many parishioners were beaten and suffered severe injuries, including broken bones and teeth, brain injuries causing severe swelling, fainting, and many other kinds of injuries. The private house where the arrests took place was totally ransacked and severely damaged. Father Lin, the seminarian, and nine parishioners are now detained in the Pingtan detention center.
"Father Lin Daixian, who has been a priest since 1995, was arrested three times previously. The first time was on October 18, 2000; the second time was on August 15, 2001, and the third time was on November 22, 2001.
"China's constitution upholds freedom of religion, but the government in China allows religious activity only in places and with people registered and monitored by the state and the Patriotic Association. Any religious activity outside of state control is considered unlawful and a threat to public order."
China is very confused about freedom of religion! Pray for the persecuted Church in China.
Ping.
Thanks.
This is really horrible.
Christianity is dying in Europe but eveidentally becoming alive in China.
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