Even Government Churches Face Official Persecution: Local Authorities Demolish TSPM Church
Government Sanctioned Church Building in Coastal China Demolished on Nov. 19 of 2010
(November 22, 2010) -- In a move that demonstrated that even government churches in China are not safe from official persecution, a church of the Three Self Patriotic Movement was demolished on Friday morning in coastal China by order of the local government, ending a four-year battle by the congregation to save their church building.
Following the demolition of the Chengnan Church, in Tinghu district, Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, on November 19, the several hundred members of the church are faced with the reality of having nowhere to worship on Sunday morning despite being a legally registered, government church. The church demolition was a victory for the local government and the real estate developer.
ChinaAid denounces the illegal conduct of Yancheng authorities of Jiangsu Province in tearing down Chengnan Church and calls on other TSPM churches in Jiangsu and other parts of China to come to the aid of this church, unite with house churches in our common fight against the government’s “backhoe policy,” and refuse to be intimidated in order to glorify the holy name of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Bob Fu, president of ChinaAid, said: “While the government’s powerful backhoes can destroy church buildings, it can never destroy the faith in the hearts and souls of believers. No one can stop the vigorous growth of the church in China. The Cross will surely be hoisted high in China by the glory of God and the sickle and ax will surely fall in shame.”
Photo captions:
These photos were taken at the site:
1．In accordance with Chinese superstition regarding construction projects, a string of fireworks is lit to ward off bad luck before the workers begin work.
2．A backhoe begins to wreak one of the church buildings.
3．Two backhoes operating at the same time.
4．The moment the cross is pulled down.
5．The building comes crashing down.
6．Reduced to rubble
7．Destruction of the last two walls.
8．The slogan on the wall of the church, states in large, clear characters: Venues for religious activities are protected by the law.
9. The last remaining destroyed
- ChinaAid
