A magazine on religious liberty and human rights in China
Authorities in some cities of Hebei Province implemented special campaigns earlier this year to crack down on churches that are not part of the government-controlled Catholic organization, closing down places of worship and arresting members of the clergy.
The government offers money to believers to pressure Mindong Diocese’s priests to join the state-run church, seeks to cut off clergy’s contacts with abroad.
During 2019, many Catholic churches were closed down for refusing to join the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. Even state-run churches are suppressed.
The sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Henan and a myriad of Catholic churches across the country have been harassed by the Chinese regime.
The clergy who refuse to be controlled by the state are harassed by authorities, subjected to indoctrination to make them join the Patriotic Church.
To make all Catholics join the state-run church, CCP continues to intimidate clergy and believers, shuts down charitable organizations.
Although the Holy See has demanded that the CCP “respect” those who refuse to join the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, they keep being harassed and punished.
The coadjutor of the deceased bishop of Tianjin is threatened with the annulment of his episcopal rights if he doesn’t join the CPCA.
Amid raids and crackdowns, clergy and congregations of what used to be Underground Catholic Church are continuing to resist being governed by the state.
Amid ultimatums and threats to join the Patriotic Church, the Catholics who didn’t do so continue to resist CCP’s goal to take full control of all the dioceses.
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