NEWS RELEASE

The Voice of the Martyrs, Inc. http://www.persecution.com

Pastor Gong near death in Chinese prison

Pastor Gong Shengliang, the imprisoned founder of the South China Church, is near death after repeated torture in a Chinese prison.

A source inside the Jingzhou Prison in Hubei Province sent an urgent message to Gong’s family: “If you want Mr. Gong to be alive in the future, you’d better think of a way as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

Gong has been repeatedly beaten inside the prison and now suffers from internal injuries. He has blood in his urine and his stool. He has also lost the hearing in one of his ears. Gong has reportedly been bedridden for more than two weeks and has fallen unconscious several times during that span.

The Chinese government has used the fear of SARS to prevent family members from visiting Gong. The last visit from family was April 14, when Gong’s sister, Shuzhen Gong, and his daughter were allowed to see him. At that time his health was failing, but since then it has reportedly gotten much worse.

The source inside the prison says three guards are specifically assigned to Pastor Gong each day, and every activity is watched and recorded. He is also visited each day by a political officer. Gong is repeatedly brainwashed in an attempt to get him to reject his faith in Christ and to admit to so-called crimes against the state. Gong is forbidden to talk to any of the other prisoners, and any prisoner caught talking to him even in passing is severely punished.

In a call to the prison by a VOM representative, prison officials confirmed that Pastor Gong is being held there, but refused any further comment.

“This is a time for action by American Christians,” said VOM spokesman Todd Nettleton. “First, we need to lift Pastor Gong in prayer, asking for God’s protection and healing on him. Second, we can call or write the Chinese embassy and urge better treatment for Pastor Gong, including access to medical care and the resumption of family visits.”

Gong was transferred to Jingzhou prison last December, after having been held at Jingmen prison following his sentencing. Pastor Gong was sentenced to be executed in December, 2001, but a re-trial was ordered by the Hubei Province Supreme Court. Gong was re-tried last October, but charges relating to cult and illegal religious activity were dropped. The second trial resulted in a sentence of life in prison.

American Christians wishing to make a polite protest to the Chinese embassy on behalf of Pastor Gong should contact: Ambassador Yang Jiechi Embassy of the People’s Republic of China 2300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008 Tel:(202) 328-2500 Fax:(202) 588-0032 Director of Religious Affairs: (202) 328-2512 Email:

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