Communist Officials Sever Rooftop Cross in China Amid Ongoing Persecution (Video)

By Leah Marieann Klett
China
Communist authorities demolish a rooftop cross at Lingkun St. Michael Church of Yongqiang Parish. Screengrab/YouTube

A church rooftop cross was severed by Chinese Communist workers in Wenzhou amid an ongoing campaign to control Christianity in the region.

UCAnews reported that the demolition of the cross at Lingkun St. Michael Church of Yongqiang Parish happened on Oct. 11, with a video published last week showing the operation.

In the video, workers are shown severing the massive cross, which is then removed by a large crane.

Just one day later, Luoyang Catholic Church in Henan saw two of its crosses demolished by authorities. A clip attached to the video of the demolition at Lingkun shows one female church member aiming a stick at an official, seemingly in protest against the demolition, while another woman cries at the scene.

"That is Christianity is in conformity with Sinicization, in other words, in line with socialism," a Catholic believer by the name of John told UCAnews.

Church rooftop crosses have been targeted for years, with Communist officials citing building code violations. However, believers say that the campaign is part of efforts to oppress the growing Christian faith and "Sinicize" religion by demanding loyalty to the atheist Communist party.

In September, footage emerged from the Henan province showing crosses and Bibles being burned. The move was condemned by human rights groups, with China Aid President Bob Fu calling on the international community to be "outraged."

"The international community should be alarmed and outraged for this blatant violation of freedom of religion and belief," he said.

"The situation for Chinese #Christians becomes more dire by the day. We are working tirelessly to put maximum pressure on China stop the persecution," Jay Sekulow, President Trump attorney and Chief Counsel at the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), wrote in a tweet.

Currently, China has around 38 million Protestants, and some have predicted that the country will have the world's largest Christian population in a few decades.

Fu previously told The Guardian that despite the government's best efforts, Christianity will continue to thrive.

"I have hope for the future, these campaigns were done in Roman times, under Stalin and under Mao, and none succeeded," he said. "It will only have the opposite effect, and if Communist party cadres studied history they would see this. Crackdowns will cause the church to grow faster, and help church be more united."

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo