Lina Chan

Speaking at the conference on ‘Peace and reconciliation in the context of Asia,’ the Hong Kong delegate described the action Catholics undertook in favor of democracy. ‘Occupy Central’ and the ‘Umbrella movement’ have become a watershed in the political consciousness of the territory’s people. She also spoke about the chief executive’s disgraceful stand, the use of Hong Kong police, and Beijing’s war against the lack of patriotism and “lawlessness”.

Lina Chan, executive secretary of the Diocesan Commissions in Hong Kong, presented a detailed report on the real situation of the Catholic Church in mainland China to the international meeting on ‘Peace and reconciliation in the context of Asia’, currently underway in Bangkok. A disturbing picture is emerging based on reports about violations of religious freedom, arbitrary arrests, and the torture of dissenting priests. Government bodies stifle Church freedom and claim an unwarranted right to control. The full text of her report follows.