A surveillance camera seen near a religious painting during Mass at Xishiku Cathedral, a state-sanctioned Catholic church, on Christmas Eve in Beijing, China Dec. 24, 2019. (Photo by Florence Lo/Reuters)
By LiCAS.news
Mar 15 2022
Authorities in China have started issuing licenses for online religious services in compliance with the “Measures for the Administration of Internet Religious Information Service” that was adopted jointly by the Ministry of State Security and other agencies last year.
The ban on unauthorized online religious activities took effect on March 1, cutting off many house churches from a “crucial resource in their ability to preach the gospel,” according to the group International Christian Concern (ICC).
Religious groups seeking to hold online activities, such as streaming or publishing sermons, should first get an Internet Religious Information Service Permit.
Organizations or individuals are also prohibited to raise funds online “in the name of religion.”
Several provinces have announced that they are already implementing the ban and requiring permits to hold religious services.
In Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee said any person or organization who intends to engage in online religious services shall apply for a permit.
Read the full news in LiCAS.news.
