Disabled Chinese pastor sentenced for producing Christian literature during Archbishop’s visit
By Dan Wooding

CHINA (ANS) -- As Chinese officials have been hosting Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual head of the world’s 77 million Anglicans, the seriousness of the restrictions on Christian activity in the country have been highlighted by the sentencing of a disabled pastor for printing Bibles and Christian literature.

According to a news release from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Pastor Wang Zaiqing, a well known house church pastor from Anhui province, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment and fined 100,000 Yuan ($12,500.00), for producing Bibles and Christian materials. In a now familiar tactic, Pastor Wang was charged with conducting ‘illegal business practices’ even though he gave the literature away and made no profit.

“The verdict was announced on October 9, the same day the Archbishop, Dr. Rowan Williams, discussed the need for more pastors and theological training for the Church in China during his visit to Shanghai,” said the CSW release. the rest