With all the news coming out of China in recent weeks concerning the crack downs and persecution of believers at Shouwang Church, it appears that even the Catholic Pope has taken notice, as now he is requesting that his followers pray for China.
The Catholic News Service reports the following:
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The persecuted Catholic Church in China needs and deserves the prayers of Catholics throughout the world, Pope Benedict XVI said.
"There, as elsewhere, Christ is living his passion" because of government restrictions and pressures on the church, the pope said May 18 at the end of his weekly general audience.
He asked Catholics everywhere to observe May 24, the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, as a day of prayer for Catholics in mainland China.
Mission Network News is also reporting the latest coming out of China and how the international community has taken note of what is happening in regards to religious freedom in China.
China (MNN) ? Making waves on NPR, CNN, BBC and the New York Times, the story of one persecuted house church has struck international chords.
The Shouwang Church in Beijing has been in a battle of rights with China for years, but the struggle has only just come into focus for most. The 1,000-member church was ousted from its building when their landlord was pressured by officials to evict them. For the six weeks following, Shouwang members have been meeting publicly outside.
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According to Baptist Press, China signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees that "everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion," including the freedom "in public or private." A group of pastors sent a petition to government officials explaining that China was breaking its own laws.
International news investigations have brought light to the issue across the globe, as well, but Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs says China is likely not going to budge.
"In spite of all of the publicity, in spite of the international outcry, the Chinese government has continued to hold a very firm line: ‘We will not allow this church to meet because they are not registered with the Chinese religious officials,'" explains Nettleton.
The full story can be read at Mission Network News. Please say a prayer for Chinese Christians today.