China: PSB detains 11 teenagers
Mar 18 2008
Postings >> China

Officials seized 11 teenagers at an 'illegal’ Bible study – as the Chinese authorities made elaborate efforts to prepare religious services for Olympic athletes in Beijing.

The youths, all aged 16 or 17, were detained by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) in Xinjiang after officials stormed a Bible study at a house church in Huocheng county. Two women in the house with them, Fu Jun and Lu Lanxiang, were also arrested.

China Aid reports that the teenagers and women were held for 24 hours for attending an 'illegal religious gathering’ – without relatives being allowed to visit them – then released. But three of the youths were later re-arrested and sentenced to 15 days’ detention.

Another report from China Aid says that Beijing pastor Cai Zhuohua, who served three years in jail in 2004-2007 for printing Bibles, was held for six hours at a PSB office in the capital’s Changping district. He went to the office to register his son’s residence card – and was detained for most of the day on 'suspicion of making false documents’.

And all the while, elsewhere in the city, Olympic organisers were busy setting up 'temporary religious venues’ for athletes and their entourages, according to China Daily.

Ten imams – and a special menu – are being provided for Muslim competitors, and Catholic priests and nuns are being trained to speak English and French.

China Aid reports that 40 church leaders from the Chinese House Church Alliance arrested in Inner Mongolia on February 20 (7x7, 4 March 2008) were released the following day.

* Ask God to bless and comfort the 11 teenagers arrested in Xinjiang, especially those who were detained twice and held for a fortnight.
 
* Pray that the presence of foreign believers in China for the Games will bless His church there. Pray that the authorities will be unable to silence the church.