Chinese authorities have widened their campaign of cross removal in Zhejiang province by targeting a Catholic church for the first time. Government officials removed the cross of Zhuangyuan Church, Yongqiang parish, just two weeks after Zhejiang’s religious affairs director called for “religious stability” ahead of the G20 summit in September.
Ucanews.com reported that the previous evening, the Catholic community in Yongqiang parish called an emergency meeting amid warnings that the cross was about to be removed. They were unable to stop state officials despite resisting a similar attempt to remove the cross last year. “The person in charge of the church did not inform the parish priest about the removal this time, possibly because government officials threatened him to keep quiet,” a church worker told ucanews.com on condition of anonymity. “When the priest realised the situation from others, he called a meeting immediately.”
At least 18 Protestant church crosses have been removed in Zhejiang so far this year. Ucanews.com said this was the first time authorities had targeted The much smaller Catholic community – an estimated 210,000 people – amid a campaign in which more than 1,700 crosses have been removed since the end of 2013.
In an apparent effort to contain simmering discontent among the millions of Christians who live in Zhejiang province, authorities have ordered no more cross removals in Hangzhou, the capital of the province, before the G20. A priest in Hangzhou who asked not to be named said: “But I am not certain authorities will really stop removing crosses, as policy often changes.”
US diocese sets up Catholic alternative to Girl Scouts
The Archbishop of St Louis has set up a new Catholic Committee for Girls Formation as an alternative to the Girl Scouts, after fears the organisation was incompatible with Catholicism. Archbishop Robert Carlson announced the new committee in a letter to priests, scouting leaders and the faithful. The letter reiterated concerns with the policies of Girl Scouts USA, which he said were “becoming increasingly incompatible with our Catholic values”.
“While continuing to serve our Catholic girls involved in various scouting programmes, this committee will also reflect our commitment to educating and forming all young women,” he wrote. The programmes will teach girls about Mary, the saints, the Holy Spirit and the rosary, among other topics.
In his letter, Archbishop Carlson said Catholic officials at the diocesan and national levels had expressed concerns about Girl Scouts USA and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, based in London. Concerns include the world association describing itself as campaigning for “sexual and reproductive health/rights”, he said.
Archbishop ‘consoled by Pope’
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has said he was consoled by Francis’s words after he criticised the Pope’s joint declaration with Patriarch Kirill. The Pope’s remarks were “truly the opening of the doors of mercy”, said Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kiev-Halych. He added: “You cannot have a dialogue [by] shouting.”
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