The Court of Rome granted asylum to a member of the Church of Almighty God, acknowledging that the Church is persecuted in China.
China
Underground Catholic Churches Closed in Fuzhou Archdiocese
Authorities are requiring underground churches to join the state-approved Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association if they want to continue holding gatherings.
Uyghurs Secretly Moved to Hide Mass Detentions
International media has already reported that Uyghurs are being transferred to, and detained in, other provinces of China. Bitter Winter has uncovered further details about the movement, and what we are learning is disturbing.
Sinicization of Religion Accelerates
China’s efforts to sinicize – or “make Chinese” – all official religions in the country have gained momentum in recent months. Evidence of this acceleration is, literally, blowing in the wind.
House Church Preacher Sentenced to Six Years
Authorities in Guangxi Autonomous Region arrested 16 believers from a house church last year; its 60-year-old preacher was later given a prison sentence.
Officials Destroy Cemetery, TV News Says Villagers Approved
Authorities in Hainan Province destroyed a 500-year-old ancestral hill cemetery and then, when villagers standing up for their rights were met with government suppression and seizures by force, officials repackaged the story, saying the “villagers endorsed the relocation of the tombs.”
Disappearing House Churches of Daqing City
From August to October of this year, more than ten house churches were closed by authorities in Daqing city, in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang. As a result, hundreds of believers have lost their place of worship.
13-Year-Old Temple in Huangshi City Destroyed
Xishan Temple, which cost $1 million RMB to be built in 2005 by a Buddhist woman from Huangshi city, in the central province of Hubei, is now a pile of ruins — thanks to a government demolition crew.
Police Force Pregnant Christian Woman to Have Abortion
A member of The Church of Almighty God was four months pregnant when she was arrested and tortured by the police for her belief.
Authorities Shutter Home for Elderly Christians
In Putian city, in the southeastern province of Fujian, a home for the elderly run by a local, government-controlled Three-Self church was shut down, resulting in 80 elderly being kicked out of their residences.