Thursday, June 21, 2007

Does central Chinese government approve of this?

Henan government: destroy the sanctuary of Our Lady of Carmel in Tianjiajing

snip

The government from the province of Henan has in fact decreed that the historic sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel will be blown up with dynamite; a complete ban on Catholics organizing their annual pilgrimage; a complete ban on any religious gathering or function being celebrated in the area. A statue of the Virgin, over one hundred years old, is destined to be destroyed along with 14 stations of The Way of the Cross which punctuate the entrance to the shrine.

http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=9625&size=A

I strongly urge the Chinese central government to investigate the motives of the Henan province local officials and stop their plans for destruction and banning of this shrine. Is this a wise and necessary thing to do? I do not think so. After reading today's daily news in China and seeing how secure they are in being introspective and honest about mistakes that have taken place, for example with the oppression of slave workers in the brick kilns, I would think that the central Chinese government will see that they are stronger and more honorable than it appears from this rash and cruel local decision. Thank you for your consideration of this matter.

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