State-Sanctioned Church in Shandong Province Demolished
International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on July 17, more than 70 police officers and workers forcibly demolished Liangwang Catholic Church in China’s Shandong province. Liangwang Catholic Church is a state-sanctioned church and had been registered since 2006.
Three church caretakers, Gao Rongli, Zhang Siling and Li Xiangmei, who were inside the church, had their cellphones confiscated and destroyed, before they were driven out of the building. The church was then razed in 15 minutes by bulldozers and pickaxes.
According to Asia News, local authorities have adopted a new urban plan that includes the development of a new neighborhood with a train station. The removal of the church was included in the plan, even though the church did not interfere during the process....
