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China

• Chinese Church Leaders and Americans Arrested

  On August 17, China Aid, a partner ministry of VOMC, released a report documenting how, in recent weeks, there have been several attacks against house churches and Christian leaders in China that resulted in numerous arrests and torture.

  During a house church worship service on August 7 in Xinjiang, more than twenty police vehicles surrounded the building.  Police arrested approximately thirty Christians.  More than ten women were stripped and paraded in front of the others.  Those who refused to undress were severely beaten. Three church leaders: Mr. Song Jun, Mr. He Jiangwei and Ms. Liang Fanglan are still being held.  Their whereabouts is presently unknown.

  On the morning of August 11, a Sunday school teacher training class was raided in Xiping Xinjian Village, Xiaogang Town in Jiangxi Province.  The class included thirty-five high-school and university students, along with some church leaders.  As police took money from those present, some of the older women asked for receipts.  The police responded by beating them.  All those present were arrested though most released that evening.  So far six have been sentenced for criminal detention and are waiting further prosecution.  Those in detention are Ms. Xu Meifang, Ms. Zhao Jie, Ms. Zhang Shuming, Mr. Wu Jiewang, Mr. Zhu Guanzhu and Mr. Zhu Xiaochun.  Another leader, Ms. Xu Chahua (42) was arrested four days later.

  On August 15, five American church leaders and twenty-eight Chinese pastors were arrested.  Four of the Americans and 27 pastors were meeting for fellowship in Luoyang City, Henan Province when they were arrested.  Later that same day, another American and another Chinese Pastor, Wan Dagan, were arrested by plain-clothed agents while walking on the street in Yichuan City.  All five Americans are believed to be from the same group.  At last report, their detention location was unknown.

  On August 10, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the arrest of more than forty believers in Hubei.  China Aid reports that ten were released on August 13.  Reports from those arrested recount terrible torture, including being burned with cigarettes and having wrists punctured with needles.  One woman, Lian Tonggui, was partially stripped and was beaten with a bamboo stick until bloody.  Two women remain in custody, Ms. Gu Junqing (38) and the host of the meeting, Ms. Ren Daoyun (60).  Gu was recently transferred to the Tanghe County Detention Center, Henan Povince.  Eyewitnesses report that Ren had been beaten repeatedly and had passed out several times during the torture.

  Pray for physical and emotional strength for those suffering torture for their faith at this time.  Pray for the release of those imprisoned.  Pray for churches left without a pastor because of these recent arrests.  Pray for delegates of the United States Commission on International Freedom who are visiting China from August 14-28.  Pray that in their investigation, they will be able to go beyond the staged receptions and meetings organized by the Chinese government and document the true state of religious freedom in China.

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

• Allen Yuan Passes Away

  Allen Yuan (Yuan, Xiang Chen), well known and well loved house church pastor in Beijing, who endured more than 20 years of suffering in China's prisons and labour camps, has gone to be with his Lord.  He died in hospital in Beijing at 4 p.m. on Tuesday August 16, 2005.  Brother Yuan was 91 years old.  He had been in hospital since August 4 because of pneumonia.  His funeral will be held on Friday.  Click here to read a more complete obituary of Pastor Yuan.

  Praise the Lord for Brother Yuan's testimony of faithfulness.  Pray for his widow and children as they mourn his passing. Two short video clips featuring Pastor Yuan can be viewed in the Video section of VOMC's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.

• Several Christians Arrested in China

  According to an August 8 report from China Aid Association, several members of Chinese house churches have been arrested since the beginning of July. 

  On July 1, approximately seventy believers were arrested in Zhaolou Village, Henan Province during a baptism service.  Ten of them, including Pastor Wang Baode, were sentenced to fifteen days' detention.  The rest were released after paying fines of 300 RMB ($45 CDN) each.

  On July 22, approximately 100 high school students were arrested at Wanzhuang Town, Hebei Province while attending a vocational Bible school.  After hours of interrogation, they were released but were ordered by officials to not gather again.

  The Official Notice from Shanghai banning a House Church Image From China Aid Association

  On July 26, a sixteen-year-old, four hundred member house church in Shanghai was ordered to close.  An official notice was stamped on the gate of the church building declaring that the gathering was "an illegal religious gathering," which must end immediately or the leaders would face "severe administrative punishment."

  Pray for those still suffering in prison for their faith, as well as wisdom and healing for those who have been released.  Pray that those instigating the violence will see the love and peace of God in the lives of the Christians.

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

• Catholic Mass Raided in China, Priest and Ten Others Arrested

  Chinese authorities have arrested a Roman Catholic priest, a seminarian and nine parishioners who were celebrating mass in a private home in Pingtan, Fujian Province on July 25. According to the Cardinal Kung Foundation, approximately fifty people had gathered to pray for a parishioner suffering with cancer when officials interrupted the service.  Parishioners who attempted to stop the arrests of Father Lin Daixian and the others were beaten and suffered broken bones and teeth as well as brain injuries.  The house was also severely damaged.

  Bishop Jia Zhiguo (L) and Bishop Anthony Dang Mingyan (R) Background: St. Bridget Catholic Church, GuongZhou, China

  This is the fourth time Father Lin has been arrested since October 2000.  He is part of the underground Catholic Church that remains loyal to Rome.  This arrest contrasts with the appointment of Anthony Dang Mingyan as an auxiliary bishop of Xian by the Chinese government and approved by the Vatican.  Such joint approval has been seen as a step in improved relations between China and the Vatican.

  The Persecution and Prayer Alert reported last week on the arrest of Bishop Jia Zhiguo for the seventh time.  Later that day it was confirmed that Bishop Jia had been released. Pray for Father Lin, Bishop Jia and others facing arrest and harassment from Chinese officials.  Pray that the Chinese government will allow its citizens the freedom to worship and practice their faith.

  For more information on the continued persecution of Christians in China, click here.  A fascinating DVD set on the turbulent history of the Church in China, "The Cross: Jesus in China," is available through our online catalogue.

• Update: Continued Harassment of Chinese Bishop

  The July 6 Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the arrest of Bishop Jia Zhiguo for the sixth time in eighteen months.  Bishop Jia was released on July 7, only to be taken into custody again on July 18.  According to the Zenit news service, Jia was taken by two security officers and required to go on an unidentified tour.

  Pray that Bishop Jia will be released and that the authorities will stop their ongoing harassment of the 71-year-old priest.  Pray for strength for the many Christian leaders presently in Chinese prisons because of their faith in Christ.

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

• Chinese Pastor and Family Await Verdicts

  Pastor Cai Zhuohua (Center)

  Last week's Persecution and Prayer Alert on the upcoming trial of Pastor Cai Zhuohua and three of his family members on July 7.  According to VOM sources in China, the trial lasted four and a half hours and ended without announcing a verdict.  During the trial, the judge refused to hear arguments that the religious rights of the accused were being violated.  "This has nothing to do with religion.  This is an economic crime," said Judge You Tao.  Only one witness for the defense was allowed to speak; an elderly woman who said that she had been given the religious literature free of charge.  The defense lawyers argued that if the literature was given free of charge, the printing was not for profit and therefore it was not an "illegal business practice."

  Only three family members of the accused were allowed into the courtroom.  The U.S. Embassy sent an observer to the trial, but he was prevented from entering the courtroom. The verdict is to be announced later, but no date has been set.  One of the lawyers for Cai said, "It is impossible for them to be found innocent, but I have confidence to strive for lighter sentences."

  Pray that Cai and the other will be found innocent.  Pray for peace as they experience uncertainty and concern for the future.

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

• Chinese Priest Released from House Arrest

  According to a report from the Zenit news agency, Chinese authorities have released Father Vincent Kong Guocun (34) after six years under house arrest.  According to Chinese sources, Kong was released because of failing health.

  Kong was arrested on October 20, 1999, only two years after his ordination.  Initially, he was isolated from any outside contact, though authorities eventually allowed visits from his parents.  Officials referred to Kong as "too stubborn" and uncooperative. 

  Praise God that Father Kong was released.  Pray for his full recovery.  Continue to pray for many others that are still imprisoned in China because of their faith.

  For more information on the mistreatment and suffering experienced by Christians in China,click here.

• Chinese Catholic Bishop Arrested Again

  For the sixth time in eighteen months, on the afternoon of July 4, Bishop Jia Zhiguo was arrested and taken by police to an undisclosed location according to the Catholic news agency, Zenit. Bishop Zhiguo, 71, who has spent 20 years in prison for his faith, has been under constant surveillance since.  He is the "non-official" bishop of Zheng Ding; a province with an estimated 1.5 million Catholics.

  Following the death of Pope John Paul II, there has been speculation that relations between China and the Vatican may improve.  It was rumoured last week that a bishop had been appointed with the approval of both the Vatican and the Chinese government.  However, the Chinese government has since denied any approval from the Vatican, insisting that the appointment was theirs alone.

  Pray that the situation facing China's Christians will improve and that the government will allow freedom of religious belief.  Pray for the many Christians suffering in Chinese prisons.

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

• Update: Date Set for Chinese Pastor's Trial

  China Aid has confirmed the trial date for Pastor Cai Zhuohua, his wife and two other family members.  The trial is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on July 7 (8:00 p.m. on July 6, Eastern Time) at the People's Court of Haidian District, Beijing.  The presiding judge will be Mr. You Tao.

  According to copies of the prosecution papers obtained by China Aid, Pastor Cai and the others will be prosecuted for "illegal business management" because they allegedly printed over 200,000 copies of Christian literature (click here for more details on the initial charges).  Prominent lawyers and legal scholars have volunteered to defend Pastor Cai, believing that this is a case of religious persecution.

  Please pray for Pastor Cai, his wife Xiao Yunfei, her brother Xiao Gaowen and sister-in-law, Hu Jinyun, as they stand trial for their faith.  Pray for wisdom for their lawyers.  Pray that they will know the presence of God's Spirit with them in the midst of these difficulties.

  For more information on persecution in China,click here.

• Nationwide Crackdown on Chinese House Churches

  Hundreds of Christians have been arrested in recent weeks and many are still in prison as Chinese authorities carry on the crackdown reported in Persecution and Prayer Alert two weeks ago (click here). New reports were released by China Aid on June 29.

  Approximately 100 pastors were arrested on June 24 at the home of Pastor Chen Dongming in Hezhai Village in Henan Province, where they were meeting for leadership training.  According to eye witnesses, more than fifty security officers surrounded the village before bursting into the building.  The officers confiscated personal property, including cash, books, blankets, rice and household effects.  Most of the pastors were released later that day, but nine, including Pastor Chen Dongming, Pastor Wei and Pastor Jin are still in jail.

  

  On June 3, Chinese border guards detained 34 Christians at a customs office in Kashi in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.  The Christians had passports and visas from Pakistan and were arrested when one revealed they were Christian missionaries.  Most of the 34 were detained for fifteen days before being released.  They are now in hiding, fearing further repercussions from the authorities.

  Continue to pray for the Christians recently arrested, as well as the many others imprisoned for their faith.  Pray that countries around the world will put pressure on China to improve their human rights and allow religious freedom.

  For more information on the persecution of Chinese Christians, click here.  Video reports are also available from China at www.vomcanada.com.