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Saturday, December 11, 2004 |
URGENT CONCERN FOR ARRESTED PROMINENT CHRISTIAN LEADER IN CHINA
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
HENAN PROVINCE, CHINA (ANS) -- One of the most prominent Protestant house church leaders in China, Pastor Zhang Rongliang, was arrested on Wednesday, December 1.
According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) in the UK, Pastor Zhang, aged 53, was arrested in Xuzhai village in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. He is believed to be being held incommunicado in the Jinshui area in Zhengzhou.
“There is particular concern for Pastor Zhang's welfare and safety, especially as he suffers from serious diabetes, which would affect his ability to withstand the cruelty that can be expected in detention,” said a CSW spokesperson.
“Pastor Zhang is the leader of the China for Christ Church, which is estimated to have about 10 million members, and is also the leader of the Fangcheng Mother Church.
“He has been wanted for many years and has already spent twelve years in prison for his faith, during five separate detentions. There is concern that he may be less able to withstand such conditions in his current state of health.”
Around lunchtime on December 1, a white Volkswagen car, with a Zhengzhou registration plate with the number 0191, was seen parked by Pastor Zhang's flat (apartment). Shortly afterwards, Pastor Zhang was arrested and there has been no communication with him since that time.
Pastor Zhang's wife and immediate family are all in hiding following the arrest. On December 1 and 2 the authorities raided every home in Xuzhai, where the arrest took place, apparently searching for the Zhang family.
“There is also concern for Gao Shunping, who had helped in the provision of ID for Pastor Zhang, who has been missing since 2nd December,” said the CSW spokesperson.
“The police have conducted a number of follow up raids in Zhengzhou and elsewhere, including raiding at least three house churches in Fangcheng city.
“Pastor Zhang's arrest comes in the midst of a serious crackdown on the house churches and an increase in the number of arrests and other incidents this year.
“The case is now being made public and is expected to attract significant attention as Pastor Zhang has a notable international profile. Due to his position, he is well known to many international organizations and individuals. His story has been featured in a number of international articles and books, including 'Jesus in Beijing', published in 2003 by former TIME journalist, David Aikman… He has been interviewed by major news outlets, including Newsweek and TIME magazine, as well as key Christian media. It is feared that he may face more intense persecution as a result of his high profile and his international connections.
“Even more seriously, as the leader of a large house church network, there is the danger that he could be falsely accused of being the leader of a cult. The Chinese authorities are afraid of large networks and adopt arbitrary classification of groups as cults based upon political objectives rather than doctrinal orthodoxy.”
CSW is calling for international attention to be drawn to Pastor Zhang's case and for the Chinese authorities to disclose Pastor Zhang's precise whereabouts, provide medical care and release him as a matter of urgency.
Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide stated: “We are gravely concerned for Pastor Zhang, especially for his health. In previous detentions the police have shown themselves ruthless in their torture of Pastor Zhang and we fear for his welfare if he is subjected to similar treatment in his current medical condition.
"We call upon the international community to raise a strong cry for his protection and immediate release. Pastor Zhang is being targeted solely for his religious activities and his arrest is part of the pattern of serious abuse of religious freedom by the governing authorities of the country. We call upon China to make good her assertions of religious freedom and release Pastor Zhang without delay - both on grounds of justice and in light of his medical condition.”
For further information and photos, please call + 44 7770 755660.
10:05:01 AM 
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© 2005 Radio Free China
Last Update: 1/2/2005; 6:05:52 PM
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