May 28, 2021
2 mins read

China arrests priests on charges of ‘brainwashing’

The incident was reported by International Christian Concern (ICC), which monitors the persecution of Christians, reported New York Times Post…reports Asian Lite News

China on May 20th seized four Christian priests working as seminary professors along with three priests who had been carrying out pastoral work in Hebei province on charges of ‘brainwashing’.

The incident was reported by International Christian Concern (ICC), which monitors the persecution of Christians, reported New York Times Post.

Ten students were also detained in the raid which took place in the town of Shaheqiao. Three briefly managed to escape before being arrested. Chinese authorities seized Giuseppe Zhang Weizhu, the bishop of Xinxiang. Bishop Weizhu had run the diocese of Xinxiang for 30 years since 1991, reported New York Times Post.

The ICC claims the arrested priests were subjected to “brainwashing” from China’s governing communists.

They said: “The bishop and the 10 priests arrested were taken to a hotel, where they were held in solitary confinement.”

According to the ICC, they were instructed to halt their study of Christian theology, reported New York Times Post.

On May 1 China’s new regulations on religious activities, a set of strict rules for religious conduct, came into effect. This country’s Catholic clergy must be approved by the Chinese Catholic Bishop’s Conference, which is state-approved.

To remain in position, they are required to back Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership. For preaching without being officially approved Bishop Weizhu and the priests are considered to be “criminals”, reported New York Times Post.

According to the ICC Christian persecution has increased since the new regulations took effect.

In western China up to a million Uyghurs, and other Muslim minorities, are reportedly being held in re-education camps. There have been reports of serious human rights abuses including torture, rape and forced labour at the facilities, reported New York Times Post.

However, claims of abuse have been rejected by the Chinese government.

China is officially an atheist country and the regime regards organised religion with suspicion. However, in practice any religious group that does not submit to the regime can become a target.

Officially the government recognises five religions; Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam and Taoism. (ANI)

ALSO READ: China rejects calls for release of scholar held for alleged spying

Previous Story

Busting the vaccination myths

Next Story

Govt survey finds 16.4% Pak households experience food insecurity

Latest from China

China’s Grab for Africa

China’s investments aim to strengthen its geopolitical influence and its high-tech manufacturing sector in Africa…reports Asian Lute News China is further consolidating its dominance in the rare earth elements sector by expanding

Trade War Back On?

Alongside with Tariff, Trump has also rolled out new export controls on critical software….reports Asian Lite News After a period of relative calm, with four major rounds of trade negotiations between the

US targets Chinese flights over Russia

US carriers have long criticised the allowance of Chinese flights over Russia, arguing that the shorter routes reduce travel time and fuel consumption, providing an unfair advantage….reports Asian Lite News The Trump

The Roof of the World is collapsing

A Stockholm study warns Tibet’s rapid ecological collapse threatens global water security, urging its inclusion in climate diplomacy and calling China’s model an “extractive and militarised” threat….reports Asian Lite News A new
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Xi’s renewed efforts to change West-led world order

The criticism of the western views from legal education in

Hasina prefers India over China in $1b Teesta project

Hasina’s recent visit to China, from July 8-10, 2024, yielded