China unofficial Christian churches petition ministers
The leaders of 17 unofficial Christian churches in China have appealed to political leaders to protect their right to worship.
A petition was delivered to parliament demanding an investigation into the treatment of Shouwang church members.
China's constitution guarantees freedom of worship but dozens of church members have been arrested in recent months.
Of China's estimated 70m Christians, about 50m worship with unregistered groups known as "house" churches.
The rest attend government-approved churches.
(Read the rest at the BBC online.)
If you look at the related news stories you'll see this kind of thing isn't new news. PBS also looked at Christians in China, at the official vs. unofficial churches, and the persecution of the latter.
A petition was delivered to parliament demanding an investigation into the treatment of Shouwang church members.
China's constitution guarantees freedom of worship but dozens of church members have been arrested in recent months.
Of China's estimated 70m Christians, about 50m worship with unregistered groups known as "house" churches.
The rest attend government-approved churches.
(Read the rest at the BBC online.)
If you look at the related news stories you'll see this kind of thing isn't new news. PBS also looked at Christians in China, at the official vs. unofficial churches, and the persecution of the latter.