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China

• Formal Charges Filed Against Lawyer

  Photo courtesy of China Aid

  Prominent Chinese human rights lawyer, Gao Zhisheng, was detained in August by security police and formally arrested on September 21. He has only recently been informed that he is being charged with "suspicion of inciting subversion of state power." Police have prevented Gao's lawyer, Mo Shaoping, from visiting because, they claim, the case involves state secrets.
• Two Priests Arrested

  On September 25, two priests were arrested in Shenzhen, Guangdong, according to reports from the Cardinal Kung Foundation. Father Shao Zhoumin, the vicar general of the Wenzhou Diocese in Zhejiang province, and Father Jiang Sunian, the chancellor of the Wenzhou Diocese, were arrested as they returned from a trip to Europe. During the arrest, the police confiscated a large number of books and photos that the priests were bringing back from their visit. The priests have been detained in an unknown location and no reasons have been given for their arrest.

  Zhoumin and Sunian were previously arrested together on October 27, 2005. Each was also arrested in 1999.

  Pray that God will bring about justice in China (Psalm 140). Pray that these men will be released soon.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China,click here.

• Updates from China

  (a) Bishop Wu Released:
  Chinese Bishop Wu, arrested on September 11 in southern Zhouzhi, has been released after five days of detention, according to a September 20 report from Asia News (for details on his arrest, click here). Since his release, Wu has been in the hospital suffering from a slight concussion which some observers believe to be the result of maltreatment during custody.
  
  
  

  (b) Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo Released:
  Asia News reported on September 26 that Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo was released on September 25 after more than ten months of "study sessions" by Chinese authorities. Upon his release, Zhiguo was able to meet with local priests; something he has been restricted from doing on previous occasions.

  In April it was reported that Bishop Zhiguo was released from detention but remained under house arrest (click here for more). VOMC has since learned that he had not been released but underwent treatment in hospital and then returned to custody. Zhiguo has been detained at least eight times since January 2004.

  (c) Guilty Verdict Overturned:
  In March 2006, Li Huimin was sentenced to one year of "re-education through labour" for participating in an "illegal gathering" (for more details, click here). According to China Aid Association, a court in Henan Province revoked that sentence on August 20. While the court still considered the Easter celebration he was attending illegal, the sentence was revoked because of "inappropriate citation of the legal articles." It is believed this is the first such lawsuit won by a Christian in China.

  Despite the good news, Bob Fu of China Aid Association notes: "It is still too early to believe it is a sign that the Chinese government is changing its policy on religious freedom, because the proper Christian gathering in this case is still considered illegal."

• Chinese Bishop Arrested

  Bishop Wu Qinjing of the Zhouzhi Parish in ShannXi Province was arrested on September 11. Wu was ordained as bishop in October 2005 but the Chinese government would not recognize the ordination as Wu refuses to join the government-sanctioned Patriotic Association of Chinese Catholics. Wu was ordered to keep a low profile and not perform the duties of a bishop. He defied these orders at the funeral of Bishop Li Duan on May 27 and several other times since then.

  During the night of September 11, thirty Public Security Bureau officers raided the church where Wu serves. Finding the gates locked, the officers scaled the wall. An elderly priest and others in the church were physically abused, threatened and driven away. Bishop Wu was then arrested without charge and taken to an undisclosed location. When a reporter with The Epoch Times contacted the Zhouzhi County Religious Bureau, the spokesman stated, "We picked up Wu Qianjing here to let him study for a few days, as soon as he meets our expectation, we will let him go."

  Pray that those who were beaten will recover from their injuries. Pray that Bishop Wu will be released from prison. Pray that the Lord will protect him from harm during his incarceration.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, click here.

• Catholic Church Destroyed in Fujian

  Police in Fujian, China have destroyed a church in the village of Yutouchang and promised to demolish another in a neighbouring village, according to a September 4 report from AsiaNews.

  On the morning of September 1, approximately five hundred policemen and other officials arrived with bulldozers and destroyed a recently-completed building built by an unregistered Catholic church. When local Christians attempted to stop the destruction, they were beaten by police.

  Before leaving, police warned that they intended to destroy another church building presently under construction in the village of Ao Oian. Authorities justify these demolitions by citing "security reasons."

  Pray for the physical healing of those who were beaten. Ask God to give these Christians a deep assurance of His never-ending love, even in the midst of very trying circumstances (Ephesians 3:14-19). Ask God to preserve the second church building from demolition.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China,click here.

• House Church Raided and Missionary Sentenced in Inner Mongolia

  Two incidents of persecution among the Mongolian people in the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia have come to light, thanks to an August 24 report from China Aid Association.

  On August 5, a Mongolian missionary, Wu Guilan (50), was sentenced to one year of "re-education through labour" because of her evangelistic work among the people of Inner Mongolia. She was convicted of "spreading heresies," including the belief that "one should believe in the heavenly God instead of worshipping Genghis Khan, which is useless." The sentencing came nine days after she was arrested for organizing a cult.

  On the morning of August 19, local police along with other officials raided a house church in Liang Jiagou Village of Wuhai City. The officials confiscated furnishings and other church property and warned the Christians that they could only gather at the government sanctioned church.

  Pray that Christians in Inner Mongolia will consistently trust the God of justice in the midst of a very unjust situation (Psalm 140). Pray that, like Paul's imprisonment, Wu Guilan's sentence will result in the advancement of God's kingdom (Philippians 1:12-14).  Ask God to help her find comfort in the words of His Scripture (Psalm 119:49-56). Pray that all believers affected by the raids and arrests will exemplify the love of God by loving those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48).

  For more information on the persecution facing Christians in China,click here.

• Bishop Released After Ten Years

  Bishop An Shuxin (57) was arrested in May 1996. Over the past ten years, those outside of prison have only seen him once, when he was able to visit his elderly mother for a few hours on the Chinese New Year of 2000. The public did not see him again until his sudden release on August 24.

  According to the Cardinal Kung Foundation, An remains under surveillance. He has also been issued a work permit to serve as a Roman Catholic bishop and to do pastoral work, even though he has not registered with the government-approved church. No information is known at this time about conditions surrounding his release.

  Praise God with us that Bishop An has been released! Pray that he will be faithful to give the truth of God's Word to those under his care (I Peter 5:1-4). Ask God to fill his heart with peace beyond comprehension as he brings his needs to the Lord. (Philippians 4:4-7).

  For more information on the persecution of China's Christians, click here.

• Human Rights Lawyer Arrested

  Gao Zhisheng Photo courtesy ofChina Aid

  In November 2005, prominent human rights lawyer, Gao Zhisheng, was ordered to suspend all operations of his law firm for one year (for more details, click here). Reports suggested that the suspension was largely because of the sensitive religious rights cases that he was representing. According to an August 22 report from China Aid Association, Gao has now been taken into custody. On August 15, Gao was taken from his sister's home in Shandong province by security agents. Authorities have confirmed his arrest but his whereabouts are unknown. His wife and two children, ages 12 and 13, are under house arrest. Those who attempt to visit them have been met by security officers. According to Bob Fu, President of CAA, "The house arrest of Mr. Gao's family members is absolutely illegal. Forcibly entering and occupying private property is completely in violation of the China's Constitution. Putting two children under house arrest also violates the International Covenant on Children's Rights."

  Pray that Mr. Gao will be allowed to return home and that the house arrest on his family will be lifted. Pray that they will rely on God's power as they wait for His deliverance (2 Corinthians 1:9-11).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China,click here.

• Continued Persecution Follows House Church Destruction

  Chinese authorities are continuing their repression following the destruction of a church building on July 29 (for more information, click here). An August 8 news release from China Aid Association reports that twenty of the fifty who had been detained have since been released. Five of them have been served with formal charges for "interfering with the duty of police officers." There are also reports of severe torture during interrogation. At least three people suffered broken ribs and some of the women were forced to strip in public.  A Christian reporter from Zhejiang, Zan Aizong, was also arrested and jailed for seven days for reporting on the destruction and posting an open letter to the Hangzhou chief of police that protested the incident. He has since been fired from his position with the Haiyang Bao newspaper.

  A short video clip of the destruction of this church building is available on www.vomcanada.com.

• Chinese Authorities Continue to Arrest Christians

  According to the Cardinal Kung Foundation, on July 30, police in Zhangjiakou, Hebei arrested Yao Liang (82), auxiliary bishop of the Xiwanzi diocese. On August 1, Father Li Huisheng (33), from the same diocese, was also arrested. The next day, a petition was presented to the authorities calling for the immediate release of Yao and Li. Police responded by deploying 500 officers and arresting approximately ninety people. Two of the church members were seriously injured and a pregnant woman miscarried as a result of the violence suffered in the arrests. At last report, twenty of those arrested remained in custody.

  In an unrelated incident, China Aid Association reported on August 3 that a Sunday School teacher's training course was raided by security police in Huainan City, Anhui on July 27. Under the pretext that the Christians were disturbing the peace, police swarmed the house, searched every corner and carried away some church equipment. The ninety children who were present were released after registering their names. The forty adults were held until early the next morning. Pastor Li Lizhong (40) and Cai Yili (38) were each given fifteen days of administrative custody without having any charges laid against them.

  Pray that the peace of God will rule in the hearts and minds of those arrested (Philippians 4:7). Pray for the healing of those injured.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China,click here.