Review: Jingjiao
In "Jingjiao: The Earliest Christian Church in China," Glen L. Thompson introduces readers to the surprising history of the early Eastern church — referred to as Jingjiao, or the Luminous Teaching.
Subversive Are Those Who Mourn
This issue of A Public Witness explores the subversive power of public mourning — like what happened recently after the state murder of Russian political dissident Alexei Navalny — to better understand a Beatitude of Jesus.
‘Hope Is Possible.’ Pope Francis Joins Religious Leaders in Mongolia to Promote Harmony
Pope Francis’ message for religious dialogue and freedom in Mongolia takes place as the neighboring Chinese government cracks down on faith groups.
Hong Kong Bishop Hopes for Closer Ties With Beijing Diocese
Chow's five-day trip to Beijing is the first visit by Hong Kong’s bishop in nearly three decades and came two weeks after Vatican News, the news portal of the Holy See, reported that China had unilaterally appointed a new bishop to Shanghai.
In Remote Himalayan Desert, Buddhists, Muslims, Christians Unite to Protect Land, Heritage
Currently governed by India, the union territory of Ladakh in the larger Kashmir region has been a major point of dispute among India, Pakistan, and China since 1947.
Spying Our Character
This issue of A Public Witness looks back into history to consider a balloon disaster in 1945 and how survivors reacted to bring healing to the world — a far cry from what many public figures offered when a balloon floated over the U.S. last
UN Cites Possible Crimes vs. Humanity in China’s Xinjiang
China’s discriminatory detention of Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups in the western region of Xinjiang may constitute crimes against humanity, the U.N. human rights office said in a long-awaited report Wednesday, which cited “serious” rights violations and patterns of torture in recent years.
Another Beijing Olympics with Human Rights Still Major Issue
Beijing was awarded the 2008 Summer Olympics, largely under the assumption that the Games would improve civil liberties in the country. There is no such talk now.
Catholic Hong Kong Media Tycoon’s Arrest Sparks Fear Church Could be Next
After prominent Catholic millionaire and media tycoon Jimmy Lai was arrested in Hong Kong amid a crackdown by China, some worry Catholic Church leaders will soon be targeted as well. Read full piece
CCP to Christians: No Streaming — and Watch Out What You Say Online
Christians in the U.S. might find it challenging to rely on livestreaming or Zoom meetings instead of gathering in person, but the Chinese government is preventing believers there from connecting even by those methods.