CNA: At least 10 incidents of vandalism and desecration of Catholic churches have been reported in France since the beginning of February, according to French news sources and watch groups. Report is here.
Category: Persecution of the Church
China: The Ordeal of a Bishop Who Will Not Join the Patriotic Association
AsiaNews: Msgr. Peter Jin Lugang, who on January 30th was recognized by the government as coadjutor bishop of Nanyang (Henan), has done everything possible not to belong to the Patriotic Association (PA), whose statutes ” are irreconcilable” with Catholic doctrine, even asking … Continue reading
China: Police Disrupt Mass Close 7 Catholic Churches
AsiaNews, Peter Zhao: Members of the United Front, police, representatives of the Religious Affairs Bureau entered the churches while Mass was being celebrated, interrupted the liturgical services, chased the faithful away, threatened them and decreed the closure of the communities. Msgr. … Continue reading
Prayers: Moslem Terrorists Bomb Cathedral in Philippines, 27 Dead
PhilstarGlobal: At least 27 people were killed when two bombs hit a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu, the military said Sunday, days after voters backed the creation of a new Muslim autonomous region. The first explosion occurred inside the Cathedral of … Continue reading
Pakistan: Asia Bibi Declared Innocent But Cannot Leave Country, Islamic Militants Vow to Kill Her
AsiaNews: The Pakistani Supreme Court has set a hearing date for the petition to review the acquittal of Asia Bibi, reports the national newspaper Dawn. The case of the Christian mother, condemned to death for blasphemy in 2009, acquitted at the end of October … Continue reading
China: Join the Patriotic Church . . . Or Else!
Bitter Winter, Lin Yujang: Never mind a nearly four-month-old provisional agreement with the Vatican – one that was supposed to ease decades-long tensions regarding the appointing of bishops – the Chinese Communist Party, or CCP, is upping its suppression and persecution of … Continue reading
Candid Interview With the Intrepid Cardinal Zen
Catholic World Report, David Pinault: Outdoors, a night of mist and drizzling rain on the slopes of Tai Ping Shan (otherwise known to Hong Kongers as Victoria Peak). But here indoors, good food, good red wine, and good conversation, and all … Continue reading
Vatican Deal Emboldens Chinese Reds to Ratchet Up Persecution of Underground Church
Bitter Winter, Lin Yijiang: In Fuzhou city, in coastal Fujian Province opposite Taiwan, authorities have raided and harassed multiple meeting venues of the Underground Catholic Church on the grounds that “to hold gatherings, it is necessary to join the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA).” During the raids, … Continue reading
Israel: Occupation Forces Impose Unnatural Restrictions for Gazan’s Wanting to Visit Bethlehem
Latin Jerusalem Patriarchate, Father Mario da Silva, Parish priest of Gaza: Fr. Mario said that “Israel is using a policy of separation between parents and children. It would give a permit to the father but deprive the mother and the children of … Continue reading
Lesson for Rome: You Can Trust Atheist Red China to Be . . . Well . . . Untrustworthy
The Atlantic, Bethany Allen Ebrahimian: As China’s economic and military power has expanded over the past decade, Beijing has shown a proclivity to renege on agreements and to make access to its markets conditional on acceding to its shifting demands. Countries, … Continue reading
Cardinal Zen Says If Pope Validates More Bishops of Government Controlled PA He Will Enter Monastery
The Eponymous Flower: Hong Kong (kath.net) “I can not fight the pope. But if he legitimizes the six bishops [of the Catholic Patriotic Association], I will retire to praying in a monastery. And I will not talk to journalists anymore. I … Continue reading
Leading Chinese Dissident Calls Vatican Deal with Beijing a ‘Slap in the Face’
Catholic Culture: Chen Guangcheng, the blind Chinese human-rights activist who escaped to the US in 2012, has condemned the Vatican’s agreement with Beijing, allowing the Chinese regime to name new Catholic bishops, as “an affront to reasonable and freedom-loving people everywhere.” … Continue reading
Moslem Killers Hunting Family of Asia Bibi From House to House
The Guardian, Harriet Sherwood: The family of Asia Bibi, the Christian woman who spent eight years on death row in Pakistan for blasphemy before being acquitted three weeks ago, claim they are being hunted by extremists going house to house with their photographs … Continue reading
Vatican/China Deal: Meanwhile Underground Bishop Shao in Custody for ‘Indoctrination’
Get Religion, Terry Mattingly: The end of 2018 is getting closer, and you know what that means. Here come the end-of-the-year features listing the Top 10 stories on a wide variety of topics — including religion. I expect that one … Continue reading
Cardinal Zen Goes to Rome to Hand Deliver Plea to Pope
Ucanews: Cardinal Zen said the China Church was facing new persecution and the Holy See was helping the Chinese Communist Party suppress the underground community.He flew to Rome from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 to hand his letter to the pope. “I want … Continue reading
