(Changsha, China─Dec. 13, 2010) In a joint operation, dozens of police and government officials raided a peaceful Sunday morning worship service of a house church in south-central China’s city of Changsha on Dec. 12, sources told ChinaAid Association
Dozens of believers of Hope Church in Changsha, Hunan province, were worshipping when the Changsha Municipal Public Security Bureau and the Bureau of Religious Affairs raided the meeting at 9:30 a.m. in a joint law enforcement action.
The police and officials dispersed the worshippers and took into custody Pastor Xing Jinfu and Minister Le of the China Gospel Fellowship. They were taken to the Furong District Police Station for questioning that lasted until almost noon.
The police and religious affairs officials also forcibly confiscated the podium, chairs, offering box, air-conditioner and other items belonging to the church.
“At this time, brothers and sisters already find it impossible to gather together,” a source said.
It was not known if Sunday’s raid was part of the nationwide “Operation Deterrence” campaign that the all-powerful Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party launched on Dec. 1 against all house churches. If it was not, and if Sunday’s move was solely a local undertaking, it would not be surprising for the local authorities to increase the frequency and severity of their moves against this church in the coming weeks as part of the nationwide crackdown. On the other hand, if it was part of Operation Deterrence, more such action can be expected, as the Politburo’s directive indicated the crackdown was to continue to March 2011.
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Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
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