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Church cameras spark parish concerns

Church officials say cameras merely for protection against thieves
Church cameras spark parish concerns
Xikai St Joseph Church in Tianjin
Published: December 21, 2011 09:21 AM GMT
Updated: December 21, 2011 10:30 AM GMT

The installation of security cameras at Xikai St Joseph’s Church in downtown Tianjin city has raised concerns among local Catholics over violations of privacy. The surveillance cameras were installed to protect the historic church against burglary, but some parishioners say they are worried that images of them could be sent to police. One parishioner, who identified himself only as John, said cameras are common in many public places in mainland China, but that installing them in private locations, such as at a church, was not appropriate. Another layman, who identified himself only as Joseph, said that a higher level of watchfulness by security guards would be more effective than cameras. Some churches in other parts of China have installed security cameras for security purposes but seldom announce the fact. In contrast, the Xikai parish posted a notice about the cameras on its website last week. Ma Bao, a lay leader in Xikai, said periodic burglaries over the last two years have made security a pressing issue, even leading the parish to purchase two guard dogs. “Since that time, there had been no burglary … until two weeks ago when the dogs were stolen. Thus, some parishioners suggested and donated money for the installation of cameras,” he said. The baroque Xikai Church, which began construction in 1917, is the largest church in Tianjin municipality and is located near a public shopping area. “Anybody is free to enter our Church, which opens its doors for 12 hours a day for evangelistic purposes,” said Father Leo Zhang Liang, the parish priest. Fr Zhang noted that the parish had lost sacred vessels, vestments, Mass offerings and electrical wires in recent years. “Setting up the cameras is only for security’s sake. With them, now we can try to trace the burglars from the recorded images.” He further assured those concerned that the images recorded by the cameras would be deleted after a certain period of time and would not be shared with any outside individual or organization.

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