China: Increasing repression due to new laws on religion

On February 1, 2018, new laws on religion came into force in China, and the Catholics in the country are now complaining about new restrictions regarding church activities. For example, as the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) reported on Sunday, the religious authorities recently ordered the Catholic communities in Inner Mongolia and Shanxi Province not to offer any recreational camps for young people any more. The authorities informed the parishes that church activities are now under state control, and that events like this may only take place at registered leisure centers. “China’s government is trying to gain absolute control of all religious communities, and there are no exceptions for China’s Catholics. Therefore, the Vatican should think twice whether it is wise to support China’s leadership in creating the impression that the Chinese people are free to practice their religion,” said Ulrich Delius, the STP’s director, in Göttingen on Sunday.

The United Front Work Department of the Communist Party also warned the Catholic communities not to offer retreats in camps, low-priced hotels, or youth hostels. Such camps would now be considered as “illegal religious activities”, punishable by fines or even imprisonment, the officials stated. The United Front Work Department is responsible for dealing with ethnic nationalities, religious groups, and other non-communist organizations.

The new religious laws, which came into force on February 1, 2018, restrict the activities of Christian communities in many ways. For example, Christians risk being prosecuted if they contact Christians abroad without the state being involved – or if the religious communities fail to inform the authorities about their funds in sufficient detail.

“Many Catholics in China are deeply concerned that their scope for movement is becoming more and more limited, while the Vatican is ignoring the increasing religious persecution – as an attempt to appease China’s government,” said Delius. “China’s Catholics are hoping for help and support in these difficult times. Their church and the Christians in Europe should not look away or try to sugarcoat the situation.” Many Catholics in the People’s Republic are concerned about the Vatican’s efforts to appease China’s government. In the scope of the policy of “Sinization”, the Chinese authorities are demanding more control over the appointment of bishops and over the Catholic Church itself.

Header Photo: Global Panorama via Flickr