There is welcome news that Ezra Jin, a prominent Chinese pastor who has been in prison has been released. Christianity is legal in China but only in government controlled churches. The Roman Catholic church permits the government to have a say in who will be appointed as bishops, walking a fine line in terms of censorship. Some significant churches have been closed and the buildings demolished
China is definitely not a Christian nation yet a few years ago the government said that there were 44 million believers in the country, more than the population of Canada. Other estimates say there are about 130 million Christians with many unregistered worshippers. They assemble in house churches, although the government has been cracking down on these gatherings.
Jin was part of a sweeping crackdown on Christians last October but he was allowed to leave the country for the United States. Jin's family speaks of his release as a miracle and thank President Trump and his administration for their intervention. Trump raised the issue of detained Christians during his visit to China. While I am reluctant to say anything positive about the president, this is welcome news.
Jimmy Lai
Canadians are aware of the incarceration of Hong Kong businessman and journalist Jimmy Lai who has family living in this country. Lai is 78 and in poor health but his Christian faith sustains him.
We can't forget these sisters and brothers in faith and the cost for them of living the gospel, including persecution and death. We need to be mindful of the plight of Uighurs in China, thousands of whom are held in labour camps with reports of forced sterilization. While Uighurs were historically Buddhist they are predominantly Muslim today.
While Canada and other countries are cozying up to the Chinese thanks to US trade isolationism and tariffs the human rights issues remain.
1 comment:
Deus caritas est!
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