Shock: Chinese authorities demolish crosses, bell tower on church

From UCANews: 

A church in northwest China’s Xinjiang region had its crosses, statues, bell towers and other religious features demolished by order of communist authorities.

Using a crane, state-instructed workers removed the exterior religious features from the Catholic church of Yining city in Urumqi Diocese on Feb. 27.

A source told ucanews.com that no reason was given for the action but it  is believed to have been carried out because the religious features were “incompatible with sinicization.”

he source said three crosses and two bell towers on the top of Yining Catholic Church were demolished and that all religious symbols, two big statues and any reliefs were removed.

“It was originally said religious features inside the church should been demolished as well but it was suspended without any reasons given,” the source said.

The church received a letter from the authorities the day before informing them the demolition would occur.

Read more. The link shows the stunning before and after photographs of the church.

Photo: supplied to UCANews