Underground priest arrested in Fujian; parishioners beaten and wounded
Rome (AsiaNews /KF) - Father Lin Daixian, 40, an underground Roman Catholic priest belonging to the Pingtan parish of the Fuzhou diocese (Fujian), a seminarian and 9 parishioners were arrested by Chinese security personnel on July 25 at approximately 8 o'clock in the evening (Fujian time). The arrest was carried out during the celebration of a private Holy Mass in a private home in Pingtan, attended by approximately 50 faithful praying for the recovery of a cancer parishioner.
In arresting Father Lin Daixian, the security police beat savagely the parishioners who tried in vain to prevent the arrest of their priest. In the process, many parishioners were beaten and suffered severe injuries, including broken bones and teeth, brain injuries causing severe swelling, fainting, and many other kinds of injuries. The private house where the arrests took place was totally ransacked and severely damaged. Father Lin, the seminarian, and nine parishioners are now detained in the Pingtan detention center.
Father Lin Daixian, who has been a priest since 1995, was arrested three times previously. The first time was on October 18, 2000; the second time was on August 15, 2001, and the third time was on November 22, 2001.
China's constitution upholds freedom of religion, but the government in China allows religious activity only in places and with people registered and monitored by the state and the Patriotic Association. Any religious activity outside of state control is considered unlawful and a threat to public order.
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