UCA News
Contribute

Worshippers clash with police in China's Jerusalem

Trouble flares in Wenzhou over installing cameras in churches
Worshippers clash with police in China's Jerusalem

A parishioner attends a Mass at a Catholic church in China. (Photo by Greg Baker/AFP)

Published: April 12, 2017 01:40 AM GMT
Updated: April 12, 2017 01:41 AM GMT

Christians in China clashed with police over the installation of surveillance cameras in a church in Zhejiang province's Wenzhou city, known as "China's Jerusalem," according to a media report.

The confrontation in Wenzhou, home to about one million Christians, followed the implementation of an earlier government order to install cameras in churches, India Today said citing a South China Morning Post report.

The Zhejiang government issued the order to churches in Wenzhou late last year, claiming they were for "anti-terrorism and security" purposes and began implementing it before the Lunar New Year ­holiday in January.

The confrontation with the city's Christian community comes three years after the authorities ordered the removal of crosses on top of church buildings, on the grounds that they were illegal structures.

Opponents called the 2014 campaign "religious persecution."

"Government officials came to the churches and put up cameras. Some priests and worshipers who did not agree to the move were dragged away," the South China Morning Post quoted an eyewitness as saying without specifying when it happened.

"Some people needed to be treated in hospital after fighting the officials," the witness said.

Pastor Yan Xiaojie, a missionary in the city, said the cameras had been installed in a number of churches.

Next to Buddhism, Christianity is regarded as the fastest growing religion in communist China.

Unofficial estimates say China has over 65 million Christians including Catholics, Protestants as well as other church groups.

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