China

Chinese Christians banned from attending Protestant World Congress

Beijing stops delegates from 200 Protestant house churches from leaving for South Africa, where the 3rd World Congress of Lausanne begins today. Experts: China does not want to recognize these churches, but the state Three-Self Church organization does not represent the 100 million Protestants in China.

Beijing : Beijing has prohibited a delegation of approximately 200 Protestant churches from travelling to Cape Town (South Africa) to attend the 3rd World Congress on Evangelization in Lausanne, which runs until October 25. They are all churches that refuse to become members of the Patriotic Three-Self Church, the religious organization headed by the State to gather together all Protestant denominations.

According to reports, in the last 2 months, police warned them not to attempt to attend the Congress and many of them were prevented from leaving even though they had regular visas for South Africa, while others were forcibly brought back home from airports. Some of the faithful had their passports confiscated; others have been threatened and put under surveillance. At least one representative from Inner Mongolia was arrested for having organized "illegal" religious activities.

Delegates yesterday sent an open letter denouncing the "serious violation of the Constitution" and "infringement of religious freedom of Chinese citizens." If someone is in Cape Town they can only participate in a personal capacity, not as a delegate of the church.