WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. officials had pointed criticism of the Chinese government today after reports that Bibles were confiscated and a service to memorialize victims of a horrific earthquake was squelched.
The United States State Department says the Chinese Government is engaging in harassment of the Early Rain Covenant Church. In a statement, a spokesperson said:
“We are deeply concerned by the Chinese government’s reported harassment of the Early Rain Covenant Church, in Chengdu, Sichuan Province after they planned to hold a memorial service on May 12, for the victims of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The United States government joins the people of China in mourning the loss of tens of thousands of lives in the tragedy, and notes the value of memorializing their lives and calling for full accountability to prevent or mitigate future disasters. Regarding reports that Chinese authorities confiscated bibles, we call on China to uphold its international commitments to promote respect for religious freedom for all persons.”
The Early Rain Covenant Church reports via social media that members have suffered “illegal detention, unlawful restriction of personal Liberty, illegal entry into the halls, illegal detention halls and church libraries, a large number of Bibles and is books and printed materials, and unlawful beating of detainees.”
According to britannica.com, some 90,000 people died in the 2008 natural disaster.
