An Ancient Church Becomes Home to Two Protestant Communities

(AsiaNews) – The 135-year old Holy Trinity church will be re-opened soon. For many years authorities have used it as a facility for government offices and as a movie theater. The agency Xinhua spread the news emphasizing how Chinese authorities grant religious freedom in the country. Before the end of the year the “red church” – named after the color of the bricks – will become home to two official Protestant communities. These are the National Committee of Three-Self (Self-administration, Self-supporting, Self-propagation) Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China , and the China Christian Council. According to Ding Guangxun, chairman of the two committees, this is another act of the government finalized to favor religious freedom in the country. In truth, some analysts affirm that the re-opening of the church is just a move made by the government in order to control Christian activities. The re-opening of the church, as well as the official acknowledgment of two Protestant communities, serve to mitigate the persecution against some unregistered Evangelical leaders.