Henan continues Christian crackdown with cross removal

A cross is removed from the top of a church in Lankao, Henan, in September 2018. (Photo: ChinaAid)

ChinaAid

(Anyang, Henan—May 20, 2019) Government-backed demolition workers removed two large, metal crosses from the top of a Catholic church in China’s central Henan province on April 28, continuing a crackdown on Christianity.

Police officers gathered in the yards of the church, and many parishioners gathered at its base to sing hymns and pray.

The Chinese Communist Party has been demolishing crosses and churches under the process of “Sinicizing” religion, or forcing faiths to align with the ideals of the Communist Party. Since the Chinese government wrongly believes religions are an attempt by foreign powers to infiltrate China, they often restrict religious practice and expression, including cracking down on religious symbols being displayed on buildings. After China’s revised Regulations on Religious Affairs went into effect on Feb. 1, 2018, introducing more restrictive measures in line with the “Sinicization” process, authorities in Henan province began to implement the new stipulations, tightening its control of religion.

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