Christians Detained in Henan for Standing Against Cross Removal
The pastor and three staff from Zhongxin Church in Xinxiang County, Henan, were criminally detained by local authorities on February 20, after having firmly resisted the cross removal from their church.
According to China Aid, the four Christians– Wu Raoyun, Bai Yun, Ma Yanfang, as well as Pastor Li Juncai— are all members from Zhongxin Church. Their church was once part of the Three-self state-sanctioned church, until it withdrew the affiliation in 2013. More than 700 people regularly worship here.
Last year, the Henan government began removal of crosses across the province, and Pastor Li repeatedly refused to allow the officials to destroy his church’s cross. His son Li Chao confirmed with Radio Free Asia that his father was charged with “disrupting public service,” although he only prevented the government from removing the cross twice or three times....
