Authorities are harassing underground Catholic churches in the Diocese of Yujiang, intimidating believers into joining the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association.
Catholic Church
Underground Catholic Priest Arrested, Kept Under Surveillance
Government’s “patrol inspection team,” supervising religious affairs, has been stationed in Fuzhou city. Underground Catholic priests are the main targets.
Sinicization Turns Churches into CCP Clubs
The so-called “four requirements” campaign demands religious venues in China to perform nationalist rituals, preach socialist morality under the watch of state inspectors.
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.
Underground and Patriotic Catholic Church: Merged in Two Dioceses?
In Mindong and Shantou, the Vatican orders Underground bishops to retire and places all Catholics under the jurisdiction of Patriotic bishops.
Church in Henan Stripped of Religious Symbols as Punishment
All religious decorations and furnishings have been removed from an underground Catholic church in Henan’s Baizhuang village as a punishment for refusing to join the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association.
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.
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.
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.