China Cracks Down On Unofficial Christian Church
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published December 10, 2018 | 09:27 PM
Dozens of members of a prominent unofficial Protestant church and their pastor have gone missing in southwest China after authorities raided their homes, churchgoers said Monday, amid increasing restrictions on religious worship.
The police sweep occurred Sunday night, according to a statement from the Early Rain Covenant Church, which is based in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province.
Several church leaders, including pastor Wang Yi, were detained, several parishioners told AFP on condition of anonymity. At least 80 people are missing, they said, but it was unclear how many are detained or unaccounted for.
"Most church members were taken from their homes, and some were grabbed off the street," one churchgoer told AFP, requesting anonymity.
"Some were found via their smartphone's location and were taken away." "The police had the whole neighbourhood under control, as well as the surrounding area," he continued. "They didn't let anyone get close." Sichuan police declined to comment. Chengdu police did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.
China's officially atheist government is wary of any organised movements outside its own control, including religious ones.
Christians in the country are split between unofficial "house" or "underground" churches like the Early Rain Covenant Church, and state-sanctioned churches where Communist Party songs also feature in the order of service.
Catholics are similarly divided between unofficial churches led by bishops recognised bythe Vatican and those who follow official prelates.
Recent Stories
Hania enjoys vacations in London
IMF Officials assure support to Pakistan’s economy
Naqvi directs foolproof measures for protection of Chinese nationals
Israel carries out attack inside Iran, report US media
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence calls on army chief
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 19 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 19 April 2024
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
More Stories From World
-
G7 vows to bolster Ukraine's air defence
7 minutes ago -
G7 asks 'all parties' to prevent further Middle East escalation
7 minutes ago -
S. Korea govt offers first compromise in effort to end doctors' strike
7 minutes ago -
Remote Indonesia volcano Mount Ruang erupts again
17 minutes ago -
China to play 'constructive role' to ease tensions after reported strike on Iran
28 minutes ago -
Explosions in Iran as US media reports Israeli strikes
38 minutes ago
-
Italy urges 'de-escalation' as G7 to discuss reported strike on Iran
57 minutes ago -
Indonesia on alert for more eruptions from remote volcano
57 minutes ago -
5.0-magnitude quake hits Alaska Peninsula
1 hour ago -
Foreign-invested firms in China up 20.7 percent in Q1: data
1 hour ago -
China launches digital database of classic graphics
1 hour ago -
Hindu nationalist Modi the favourite as India votes
1 hour ago