The authorities have demolished a yet another church despite it being a legal structure.
In April this year, the local authorities in Henan’s Luohe demolished a government-controlled Protestant Three-Self church, citing planning and reconstruction as their reasons.
The demolition crew called up Mr. Liu, a church member, to inform him about the work ahead. Mr. Liu then contacted the church head, Zhang Shun (pseudonym), who alerted other co-workers and rushed to the spot.
However, they were all blocked from getting near. Three female co-workers were confined to a car, and the police confiscated their cellphones as well. The group was held back until 6 am, and upon being released, they found the church destroyed.
The demolition began on a Sunday night, and approximately 200 individuals took part, brought in 20 vehicles for the work. The stools were brought out, but then, an excavator was driven into the church, and everything was razed to the ground.
Efforts at reasoning with the local police head, Wu Deyu, were unsuccessful. The church members protested that their structure was legal, and they had their documentation in order, but Mr. Wu said, “This is part of national planning, the church has to be demolished.”
Reported by Jiang Tao
