Catholic church faces demolition for arbitrary zoning plans

ChinaAid

(Jinan, Shandong—July 21, 2018) About 70 government agents and police officers demolished a state-run Catholic church Wednesday after insisting it must be relocated to make way for a new neighborhood and railway station, despite previous negotiations, according to an AsiaNews report.

The members of the church said about 40 officials entered it on July 28, confiscated the phones of four Christian women, and forced them to leave the building. Afterwards, 30 more government agents brought demolition equipment and razed the church.

Previously, the government had ordered the church’s removal in order to fit new plans for an additional neighborhood and railroad station. However, the church had been discussing moving out of its current location with officials at the time of the demolition, Asia News said.

ChinaAid exposes abuses, such as the one suffered by Catholics in Jinan, in order to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians and promote religious freedom, human rights, and rule of law.