Can God Survive in China?

By Mary McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 3/13/03)

Following is the first of a two-part series based on the Population Research Institute’s third conference on human rights violations in China. The Population Research Institute defines its goal as putting an end to human rights abuses committed in the name of family planning, and dispelling the myth of overpopulation through research and education.

Father Christopher Pollard, parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Arlington, approached Barbara Celio a few weeks ago and handed her a pamphlet. He told her that she should attend Population Research Institute’s conference on human rights in China.

Three weeks ago, Celio, a parishioner at St. Mark Parish in Vienna, said goodbye to her son as he flew to China to teach English to 10-year-olds at a boarding school in Baisi, China.

At the time she had the same concerns of any mother with a child overseas, but after last week’s conference, she found herself more concerned.

Father Pollard had told Chris not to let anyone know he was Catholic, not to let them know he believed in any religion. Now, thanks to Catherine Ho, Bob Fu and Yeong-Ching Foo, Celio has a better understanding of why her son would have to hide his beliefs.

To look at her, it is hard to believe the trials Catherine Ho has faced. The petite woman radiates with the grace that only a truly devout believer possesses.

Ho was born in Shanghai, China, in 1935. Her parents sent her to Catholic school, and she became a Catholic in 1950 and joined the Legion of Mary. Ho was baptized one year after the Communists took power in China.

Before her baptism, Ho was called to the office of a nun at her school and told to think about her baptism. She was told she could delay her baptism because of the persecution that the Church was facing. However, Ho said, "Once God called me, I will follow Him forever."

In 1955, she was arrested with 100,000 priests and Catholics for belonging to the Legion of Mary, a so-called "para-military" organization. Because she refused to join the Communist church, she spent 22 years in prison camps for being a "counter-revolutionary."

"We didn’t oppose the government, we only wanted to practice our religion," Ho said.

While in prison, Ho said Catholics were isolated, interrogated and brainwashed. The Communist propaganda did not sway Ho’s beliefs. "But by the light of the Holy Spirit, I knew it was a lie," she said. "If I lost my faith, I would lose everything."

While she was tortured in China, Ho would pray, "God, please let me die. I cannot suffer. I cannot bear this cross, too heavy."

As she crossed the bridge into Hong Kong in 1979, she prayed, "Thanks, God."

While in Hong Kong, Ho wrote a book about her experiences as a Chinese-Catholic. The book has been translated into English and Italian. Ho received the honor of delivering her book to Pope John Paul II. He told Ho that he prays for the Catholics in China every day.

In 1986, Ho, her husband, and her son moved to the United States. She and her husband currently live in Stanford, Conn.

After suffering through 22 years of torture and persecution, Ho’s faith is still very strong. She is still a member of the Legion of Mary and continues to write and speak about her experiences in China.

Bob Fu was a pastor of the Christian House Church in Beijing by night, and a teacher of communist ideals during the day. In 1996, this double life was revealed to authorities and he faced a similar fate to Ho. Fu possesses the signatures and affidavits of over 1,000 evangelicals who have been accused of being "counter revolutionaries" and belonging to a "Satanic, evil cult."

"Do we deserve to live in horror just because of our faith?" Fu said. "Though facing arrest, we will never give in. For we know what we believe is the truth."

Fu explained the severe punishments incurred upon Christians in China; fines equaling six to 10 times a person’s annual income, destruction of books, statues and all things related to Christianity, the demolition of the homes of Christians, and severe torture to Christian believers. There have been three deaths reported to be associated with this severe torture.

Fu, just like Ho, has not given up hope. "By God’s grace, sooner or later, millions of Chinese believers will enjoy the manifestation of their religion together, without anyone closely surveillancing," said Fu.

Many Chinese people living in America are scared to discuss their religious beliefs even though they are now outside communist rule. They are scared that if authorities in China learn what they practice, their family members still living there will be punished. Fu and Ho are certainly exceptions to this rule.

The cases of Chinese citizens being treated so brutally are hard enough to stomach, but it is not only Chinese citizens who suffer.

Dr. Charles Li, an American citizen, traveled to China to inform his parents of his upcoming wedding to Yeong-Ching Foo. Li was arrested as soon as he stepped off the plane and he has been detained in China for over 40 days and he faces up to 15 years in prison for false charges.

Li was blacklisted in China as a practitioner of Falun Gong, a practice that is believed to improve the body, mind and spirit through exercise, meditation and teachings based on ancient Chinese culture.

Throughout China, Falun Gong practitioners are targeted and persecuted, as are those who practice any religion other than the atheist communist religion.

Gail Raichlin, Falun Gong practitioner and lead international spokesperson, said since 1999, there have been 587 known deaths of Falun Gong practitioners and over 100,000 have been sent to forced labor camps.

To many, it is hard to understand why the Chinese government would be so threatened by people who strictly adhere to a philosophy of non-violence, and practice their philosophy to increase their health and provide themselves with moral boundaries.

"There is no justice in China," said Li’s fiancée, Foo. "I need your help. We need to call the president and the State Department. He did nothing wrong. We must help Americans like Charles."

There are 36 American families who have relatives detained in China for practicing Falun Gong.

Dr. Jingduan Young is seeking help to rescue his sister. In October, she was arrested and no one knew where she was for two weeks. Young asked "Why are they afraid of her?" Young’s sister is 55 years old, and this is her second arrest. She practices Falun Gong and the values it promotes; truthfulness, compassion and tolerance.

"This is not about my sister or Charles Li," he said. "This is about the values they are trying to preserve. This is really about fundamental universal values.

On March 7, over 500 people rallied outside the U.S. State Department in Washington to ask the State Department to fight for the release of Charles Li.

Falun Gong practitioners were joined by the former ambassador of Hungary, and members of the Free China Movement.

Scott Weinberg, the director of governmental affairs for the Population Research Institute said, "I’m an American. Charles Li is an American. This attack on Charles Li is an attack on all Americans, an attack on freedom itself. This is why we are activating the Republican Leadership, the White House and the U.S. State Department to fight for the return of Charles Li."

After hearing the testimonies of these people who have suffered persecution in China because of their beliefs, it is easy to doubt that any religion, other than the Communist Church, could exist there. Catherine Ho believes differently.

Before communism came to China, there were 3 million practicing Catholics in the country. Now there are over 10 million believers.

"Political power cannot destroy the Church," said Ho.

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