THE Catholic Church is relying on blind faith in its belief that religious freedom in the territory will not suffer after 1997, according to Human Rights Watch/Asia.
The Hong Kong Catholic diocese yesterday published a report on the future of religion, setting out plans to strengthen relations with the Church in China and assure local worshippers the Church would not be forced underground.
A provision of the Basic Law states the Church will continue to enjoy freedom of religious belief and practices after the handover.
But Human Rights Watch/Asia believes the clause should not be taken seriously.
'The Chinese constitution also provides for religious freedom - although this law is very restrictive - yet Chinese Catholic priests and worshippers are still being arrested,' said spokesman Robin Munro.
'How can Hong Kong Catholics be sure the same thing won't happen here? 'I think there are grounds for anxiety and scepticism about China's commitment to its published laws on religion.' Amnesty International says Catholics in northern China are subjected to torture, arbitrary detention and fines for breaching birth control policies.
More than 90 per cent of the 2,000 inhabitants of two villages in Hebei province are Catholic.
