Hong Kong, China, Sep 30, 2019 / 15:00 pm
The persecution of Catholics in mainland China is increasing after prominent Catholic figures in Hong Kong continue to speak out against the communist regime, according to reports.
The reports from Bitter Winter, a magazine covering religious liberty and human rights in China, come alongside allegations that the Chinese government has ignored requests to tolerate Catholic churches that decline to join the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA), the state-approved Catholic church.
Months of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, in which Catholics have played a prominent role, have reportedly raised concerns with mainland Chinese officials that Catholics on the mainland could work with the Catholic Church in Hong Kong to inspire similar resistance. Beijing has instituted a travel ban for some Catholics seeking to enter the island.
Unlike on the mainland, the Catholic Church in Hong Kong is not overseen by the government, and there is no "underground" church.