NewLeading China pastor Gu Yuese under investigation for embezzling funds: church authorities
The church leader had opposed a campaign to remove crosses atop churches in Zhejiang
A leading Christian pastor who opposed a campaign to remove crosses from atop churches is being investigated on suspicion of embezzling funds, state-backed church authorities in China’s eastern Zhejiang province said.
“We feel deeply shocked and filled with regret,” the government-backed Hangzhou Christian Council said in a statement on its website regarding the investigation in Gu Yuese, adding that the investigation was due to his individual conduct.
READ MORE: Christians in Zhejiang cross with authorities over church demolitions
The council gave no further details of the charges or evidence against Gu in its post late on Friday night. It said it had been notified by a “relevant department”, but did not say who was conducting the investigation. Police in Hangzhou did not immediately respond to calls for comment. Gu could not be reached for comment.
Zhejiang is known for its large Christian population. Previous campaigns by authorities there to dismantle crosses on top of churches have incensed the local religious population.
Gu, who had frequently met visiting foreign guests and appeared at government-organised ceremonies, previously spoke out against the campaign to tear down crosses, according to some of his followers. Two Gu supporters in Zhejiang said they had not been able to get in touch with him, and he had recently sent a message to followers that was critical of the cross-removal campaign.