Chinese Catholics weep as statues depicting the Passion of Christ are removed
or hidden from public view in what they say is reminiscent of the Cultural
Revolution.
Holy statues depicting Biblical scenes including Jesus’ crucifixion have been
destroyed, removed or "hidden" by authorities in a city known as
China’s Jerusalem, it has emerged, fuelling fears of a renewed government
offensive against Christianity.
Around 50 government workers sealed off Wenzhou’s Longgang Hill, a site of
Catholic pilgrimage, on Saturday and used bricks to "hide" statues
portraying moments from the Passion of Christ.
Statues of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, each weighing up to five
tons, were “bricked around to hide them from public view” while cranes were
used to remove other holy statues and tablets from the park. “All other
religious decoration was demolished,” according
to UCA News, a news agency covering Catholic issues in Asia.
“About 100 Catholics who came to watch the removals were blocked at the
entrance,” said one witness, who asked not to be named because of “security
concerns”. “Some who managed to sneak in sang hymns and prayed while
watching. Some could not hold back their tears.”
“The authorities’ behaviour is reminiscent of the smashing of church property
during the Cultural Revolution,” another member of the city’s Catholic
community told UCA News’ Chinese-language service.
The removals, which were first reported on Thursday night, took place last
Saturday, 48 hours before government demolition teams razed
a Protestant church in the same city.
Wenzhou’s Sanjiang church became a symbol of resistance to the Communist
Party’s draconian religious policies in early April.
- Thousands of Christians formed a human shield around the place of worship after plans to demolish it were announced but the building was eventually levelled on Monday evening.
Source: Telegraph
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