After a month and a half of detention, Chinese officials have released two church leaders who were arrested for leading a youth Bible study. China Aid credits the international community for bringing attention to the case--no thanks to America's State Department. Secretary Rice continues to ignore FRC's request, and that of a dozen congressmen, to intervene in the case of 21 pastors who were sentenced to Chinese labor camps for practicing their faith. A White House official told us that if we didn't hear back from the State Department in five days to contact him again. That was two weeks ago. Like those in captivity, we can't help but wonder what has become of the world's biggest advocate of religious freedom.

February 22, 2008

SHANGDONG PROVINCE, CHINA -- Twenty-one prominent Christian leaders have been sentenced to re-education through labor in what China Aid Association (CAA) describes as the largest mass sentencing of house church leaders in China in 25 years.

CAA says the Linyi City Re-education through Labor Commission in Shandong Province simultaneously sentenced 17 male and 4 female church leaders to re-education through labor for fifteen months to three years.

According to news released yesterday by CAA, the 21 believers were detained during a mass arrest of 270 Christian leaders on December 7, 2007 in Hedeng District, Linyi City as they gathered for leadership training. The others detained with them were fined and released in the intervening period. The leaders were accused of holding an “illegal religious gathering” and the 21 labeled as members of an “evil cult,” a term which Chinese authorities arbitrarily apply to unregistered religious groups.