China trampling over religious freedom with bulldozing of Christian churches
By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
5/16/2014 (3 years ago)
Catholic Online
(https://www.catholic.org)
While China has made great inroads with the creation of a new middle class and newfound economic strength, there is much room for improvement in its stance on human rights. There has been the demolition of churches in the eastern province of Zhejiang as well as the recent detentions of Christians in Beijing and Guizhou province in southwest China.

The partial or total demolition of at least half a dozen churches in Zhejiang province and a spate of detentions across China have fueled these concerns.
Highlights
By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
5/16/2014 (3 years ago)
Published in Asia Pacific
Keywords: China, religious persecution, freedom, summit
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - a coalition of lawyers, religious leaders and academics have told Beijing that church demolitions and the arrests of Christians stoke fears of a nationwide "anti-church" campaign. They say that China must guarantee its citizens' rights to freedom of religious belief and expression.
"Religious freedom is a basic and core value of modern nations and societies," argued the "Purdue Consensus on Religious Freedom." Signed by more than 50 people, including some of China's foremost rights lawyers, underground church leaders and intellectuals, the document also called upon China's citizens to be vigilant.
Starvation takes no vacation --
All Chinese citizens had the responsibility "to respect, to protect, and to fight for" religious freedom, the statement added.
Published this week after a three-day summit at Purdue University, activists and religious leaders discussed their concerns over religious freedom in China.
High on the agenda was the importance of Chinese citizens to have the freedom "to practice their faith, to worship together, to establish religious venues, to use religious symbols, to publish religious books, and to disseminate religious faith."
One sterling example is the fact that missionary work is currently illegal in China. Beijing's State Administration for Religious Affairs tightly controls the construction and administration of places of worship.
There has been a growing worldwide pessimism over the Communist Party's handling of religious matters. Christians now fear that Beijing is planning a nationwide campaign to slow the growth of their community, which now counts tens of millions of members.
The partial or total demolition of at least half a dozen churches in Zhejiang province and a spate of detentions across China have fueled these concerns.
Beijing also faces criticism over what some describe as its heavy-handed treatment of Muslims in the far western province of Xinjiang.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2018 - Distributed by THE CALIFORNIA NETWORK
Pope Francis Prayer Intentions for APRIL 2018
For those who have Responsibility in Economic Matters. That economists may have the courage to reject any economy of exclusion and know how to open new paths.
More Asia Pacific
Solved? Forensic evidence offers clue to Amelia Earhart's disappearence Watch

Amelia Earhart disappeared in 1936 during an attempt to circumnavigate the globe by air. Accompanying her was her navigator, Fred ... continue reading
Catholic Church in China continues to grow despite persecution Watch

Nearly 50,000 people in China were baptized into the Catholic Church in 2017, according to a report by Fides. LOS ANGELES, CA ... continue reading
The aftermath of China's 'one child' policy is worse than we know Watch

Although China expanded its former one child policy to a limit of two children per family in 2015, decades of government-enforced ... continue reading
Christian persecution on the rise in India Watch

Compared to 2016, attacks against Christians in India by Hindu extremists more than doubled in 2017 amid efforts to label the religious ... continue reading
Living in darkness no more: India to connect last 240 million people to electricity Watch

Two hundred, forty million people in India go to bed with the sun because they still lack electricity. That may change soon as the ... continue reading
Latest
by Catholic Online
- Five things Catholics can do to promote international religious freedom
- The Christian Duty: A mission of leading others to Jesus
- Daily Readings for Monday, April 23, 2018
- St. George: Saint of the Day for Monday, April 23, 2018
- Daily Reading for Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 HD Video
- The Eucharist's Importance to the Life of the Church
- Daily Reading for Monday, April 23rd, 2018 HD Video
Latest Videos
on YouTube

Daily Readings
Daily Reading for Sunday April 22, 2018
Reading 1, Acts 4:8-12
Psalm, Psalms 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 21, 29
Gospel, John 10:11-18
Reading 2, First John 3:1-2
Saint of the Day

St. Abdiesus
April 22: Also called Hebed Jesus, a deacon in the ... Read More
Information
Learn about Catholic world
Catholic Online
Inform - Inspire - Ignite
Catholic Online Saints
Your saints explained
Catholic Online Prayers
Prayers for every need
Catholic Online Bible
Complete bible online
Catholic Online News
Your news Catholic eye
Daily Reading
Today's bible reading
Lent / Easter
Death & resurrection of Jesus
Advent / Christmas
Birth of Jesus
Rest of Catholic Online
All Catholic world we offer
Services
Products and services we offer
Catholic Online Shopping
Catholic medals, gifts & books
The California Network
Inspiring streaming service
Advertise on Catholic Online
Your ads on catholic.org
Catholic Online Email
Email with Catholic feel
Catholic Online Singles
Safe, secure Catholic dating
The California Studios
World-class post production service
Education
Learn the Catholic way
Catholic Online School
Free Catholic education for all
Student Classes
K-12 & Adult Education Classes
School Teachers
Teacher lesson plans & resources
Support Free Education
Tax deductible support Free education
Socials
Connect with us online
Catholic Online on Facebook
Catholic social network
Catholic Online on Twitter
Catholic Tweets
Catholic Online on YouTube
Enjoy our videos
Catholic Online on Instagram
Shared Catholic moments
Catholic Online on Pinterest
Catholic ideas style inspiration