Preacher Arrested for Sharing Videos Online
A house church preacher was arrested after she posted on a WeChat group some video footage depicting government’s persecution of religion. As a result, her church was forcibly closed down.
Saving Buddhist Statues in Hebei
After the central government ordered to demolish all religious statues in Wu’an city, local people decided to conceal 500 Buddhist statues in an attempt to save them. An almost 30-meter-tall statue of Buddha did not survive.
Catholics Worship Outside a Locked-Up Pilgrimage Site
Established in the 19th century, the church and its parish in Shanxi’s Dongergou village was a massive draw for nearby believers and pilgrims alike. The use of the church was prohibited in July, but members of the congregation still hold mass outside it.
Beijing University Student Detained for His Faith
The university student is one of 13 members of The Church of Almighty God that were arrested in China’s capital at the beginning of the month. His release date is uncertain, and family not allowed to see him.
Underground Priest: “Catholicism in China is Facing Calamity”
Some members of the underground Catholic clergy in China believe that the Vatican-China agreement has exacerbated the persecution of underground Catholics, and they see no hope for their churches to survive.
Shanxi Authorities Censor Sunday School Content
All references to God and religion were removed from the reading materials for children, including the Ten Commandments.
How Deeper Underground Can Underground Catholics Go?
Refusing to join the government-controlled Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, some priests in Hebei have been forced to leave their churches and now organize secret “guerrilla-like” congregation gatherings.
Hebei Officials Compete in Eradication of Religion
An internal document from one of the municipalities in this northern province reveals a score-based motivational system for government and Communist Party personnel involved in the crackdown on churches. Top scores are given for the extinction of underground Catholics.
Lessons in “Patriotism” for Disobedient Underground Catholics
Hebei authorities forcefully erected a flagpole with the Chinese flag outside the church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Zhengding, the residence of Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo, one the most prominent leaders of the Underground Catholic Church.
Anti-Gang Campaign Targeting Believers in Full Swing
Cities and villages across Shanxi are implementing special measures as part of the nation-wide “struggle to clean up gang crime and eliminate evil.” Promoted as a campaign against organized crime, it is yet one more of President Xi’s initiatives targeting religious groups and churches in China.
