UCA News
Contribute

Organizers of a Christian summer camp detained in China

Police charge two women with 'indoctrinating minors with superstitious beliefs'
Organizers of a Christian summer camp detained in China
Published: September 15, 2016 07:58 AM GMT
Updated: September 15, 2016 07:58 AM GMT

Chinese authorities arrested and detained two women for more than a week in August for organizing a Christian summer camp for children in China's northwest.

Zhou Yanhua and Gao Ming, both members of Yining County Church, were charged by police with "indoctrinating minors with superstitious beliefs," reported China Aid.

They were arrested as they prepared to drive a group of children on Aug. 4 to the camp in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Chinese law prohibits religious education to anybody under the age of 18. The communist regime sees "matters of faith to be dangerous brainwashing from which children must be protected," reports the U.S.-based rights organization.  

Gao, a seminary student at government-sanctioned Yanjing Theological Seminary, was detained for 15 days while Zhou was held for 10 days.

The children were taken to a police station where they had to register their identification. China Aid said that officials additionally called the children's families and schoolteachers, threatening to deduct the teachers' wages and hamper the children's education prospects by not allowing them to advance in their grades.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia