Communist officials in China’s Henan province have reportedly destroyed the major Way of the Cross pilgrimage site, and have also removed images of Jesus Christ.
UCAnews reported that the demolition of the Catholic holy site took place last week in Tianjiajing village of Anyang Diocese.
Bishop Joseph Zhang Yinlin of Anyang was apparently told one month ago that the Way of the Cross must be brought down, but was not provided a reason for the decision.
As Catholic News Agency explains, the Way of the Cross pilgrimage leads to the sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. For over 100 years, thousands of pilgrims have traveled annually from nearby provinces on July 16, though the government has attempted to limit the number of pilgrims each year.
It was built in 1903-05 as a means to thank the Virgin Mary for helping missionaries during the Boxer rebellion in 1900.
As many as 10,000 people are said to have visited the shrine on July 16, 1986.
A source, who wasn’t named, shared what happened on the evening of June 5:
“Excavators and pickup trucks were driven to the site at night because authorities feared there would be too many church members in the daytime,” the man said.