Leaked Document Shows “New Offensive” On House Churches

(BosNewsLife) – A major human rights group said Wednesday, June 15, it has obtained a copy of a government document outlining China ‘s “new offensive” on underground house churches. The Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC) said the document reads in part: “We have dealt with the Falun-gong [sect]. We have arrested and put their leaders on the run. Now we must resolutely and strongly deal with the unregistered house churches. They are too numerous — too many. We must deal with them strongly.” It was difficult to verify the authenticity of the paper, but VOMC and its partner organization in the United States are known to have contacts with different officials criticizing the Beijing policies. VOMC said the document suggest the increased pressure on underground house churches would be from April to August 2005. The term ‘house church’ often refers to Christians who refuse to worship in the two officially organized churches of China known as the Protestant Three Self Patriotic Movement and the Catholic Patriotic Association with a combined estimated membership of 17 million people.