Five clergy members of China's underground Roman Catholic Church were detained on July 1 in Baoding, Hebei, a city 70 miles west of Beijing, China. According to the report from the Cardinal Kung Foundation, Fathers Kang Fuliang, Chen Guozhen, Pang Guangzhao, Joseph Yin, and Li Shujun, were arrested when they were on their way to visit another underground priest, Lu Genjun. Lu Genjun had recently been released after serving three years in a labour camp.
Earlier, on June 16, Father Lu Xiaozhou (Bosco), was arrested while ministering to a dying Catholic in Wenzhou, Zhejiang.
While the Chinese constitution officially declares freedom of religion, actions like this clearly demonstrate a continuing oppression on those who are not part of the official church in China. Pray for believers throughout China, that they may stand firm in their faith in the face of this opposition.
Pray also for believers in Hong Kong. Article 23 of its Basic Law is expected to pass in the Hong Kong Legislative Council today (July 9, 2003). If implemented, the Hong Kong government could potentially bar or close down any organization that is banned by the Chinese government on the pretense of national security. There is fear that this law will be used against religious groups in Hong Kong labeled "evil cults" by the Chinese government.
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