chinese authorities have detained teh leaders and staff of Zion Church, an unregistered Protestant house church, in a recent crackdown on independent religious groups. The arrests, which occurred over the weekend, signal a continuing escalation of pressure on Christians who refuse state oversight of their faith.
The detentions impact a congregation already operating in secrecy and underscore the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) increasing intolerance of religious practices outside of state-sanctioned institutions.This action raises concerns about religious freedom in China and the future of unregistered house churches, which represent a significant portion of the country’s Christian population. The CCP requires religious organizations to register with the government and submit to party control, a demand many independent churches resist to maintain their autonomy.
Senator Marco Rubio released a statement Sunday condemning the arrests, stating, “This crackdown further demonstrates how the CCP exercises hostility towards Christians who reject Party interference in their faith and choose to worship at unregistered house churches.” He called for the immediate release of the detained church leaders and advocated for the right of all people of faith to practice their religion without fear of reprisal.
According to a spokesperson for the church, identified only as Long, congregants are fearful but remain resolute in their faith. “We will still have online service and we will not stop what we are doing,” Long said. “We will share the good news of Jesus Christ no matter what.”
House churches have flourished in China since the 1980s, offering an option to officially recognized churches that are often seen as closely aligned with the government. while the number of Christians in China has grown considerably in recent decades, the CCP has tightened restrictions on religious activity, particularly targeting unregistered groups. The government views these groups with suspicion, fearing they could pose a challenge to its authority.
