Recently the CCD reported that three churches of Zhengzhou, Henan Province, are forced to be torn down due to urban development, causing wide public concern among Chinese Christians.
The local government has been dealing with the forced demolishment of Dali Church, one of the three churches, and discussing compensation matters with the church.
However, Zhanghuqiao Church which was also pulled down, received no concern from the local authority. Located in Zhanghuqiao Village, the church was a legal venue for religious activities approved by the local authority. It has a congregation of about 500 people.
Seated in an area connecting the city with the rural area, the church was within the demolishment scope, as urbanization advances in Zhengzhou in the recent two years. The previous talk between the church and the government produced no result for allocating a land that should be used for the new church construction. The local village committee is tough on the issue, unwilling to solve the problem, claims that a church staff.
He states that the local committee who demolished the church is not afraid of any accusation, threatening that it will cancel the residential registration of those who protest the demolition when it comes to housing allocation.
Unfortunately, there is no other church nearby. On Feb 12, 2017, the congregation had to attend the Sunday service in the ruin. "The church was destroyed and this land will be occupied. Where will the next service be held? Lord, where should we go tomorrow? Are we really abandoned?" Said a prayer from a believer.
Translated by Karen Luo
