Last month the Chinese authorities tore down Sanjiang church in the city of Wenzhou, a city known as the Jerusalem of the East.
There are also recent incidents reported in which the government destroyed objects of Catholic devotion while Catholics stood by weeping.
Christianity, both Protestant and Catholic, is flourishing in China, where on any given Sunday there are probably more Christians worshiping there than in Europe. Government authorities have explained that they feel that Christianity is growing too rapidly.
The faithful must feel wounded by the assaults on the Faith by a secular government. But in these emotions they share to some extent in the wounds of Christ, who suffered the contempt and violence of a ruling body which seemed uncertain of its authority. Their suffering is a sign of the power and vitality of Christianity, which is often a cause of anxiety to secular power.
I wrote this tribute to our brothers and sisters in Christ in China:
FRIENDS OF CHRIST IN CHINA
When churches are pulled down
The stone rolls from the tomb,
As the pillars crumble
Christ appears again
The dead rise up, the living
Give witness to His splendor
Eternal and abiding,
Death destroyed forever
On glory He is seated
We know He is arisen,
Although we are offended
Although we are in prison
Friends of Christ in China
Our Savior conquers all,
The Victim and the Victor
Although the columns fall
The house of earth dissolving
The house of faith endures,
Eternal and triumphant
His victory assured
As He rose in glory
We are in Him restored,
Unconquered and unbeaten,
He is the risen Lord
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