China’s communist authorities demolished a Catholic church due to the refusal of the local priest to join the country’s so-called “official” Catholic church.
In June, the Chinese authorities demolished the “big tent” where the church worked, after the local priest, Fr. Dong Baolu, refused to submit to the Patriotic Catholic Association of China, reports the local media Radio Free Asia.
The demolished temple was a place of worship built in the open air and clandestinely, so that the Catholics of the town of Youtong, in the Diocese of Zhengding, faithful to the Vatican and not registered in the official “church”, can live their faith.
According to the local press, the authorities took the opportunity to tear down the tent when Fr. Dong Baolu, who “suffers from motor problems”, was hospitalized for a health evaluation.
Fr Dong Baolu said he was the only one out of more than 100 priests in the Zhengding Diocese who refused to submit to communist control, Asia News reported.
The Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association belongs to the Chinese Communist Party regime and was created by the authorities to control the Catholic Church.
Four years ago, the Chinese Communist Party adopted a “New Regulation on Religious Activities” that prohibits religious personnel, including priests, from performing their duties if they do not adhere to the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association.
Despite the persecution they may have suffered, some bishops and priests, like Fr. Dong, refused to join the so-called “official Catholic church.”