Chinese authorities jail Christian leader who opposed cross demolitions

Just 10 days after being dismissed as the leader of the Chongyi Church in China, Pastor Gu "Joseph" Yuese has reportedly been taken by the authorities to an undisclosed location.

According to the report by Persecution.org, the pastor's relatives and friends were informed that he was taken in an unknown residential location, which they call 'black jail.'

While in the 'black jail,' the detained individual would be watched 24/7 and will not be allowed to communicate with anyone outside. Aside from Pastor Joseph, his wife Zhou Lianmei is also believed to have been detained by the government.

Pastor Yuese was the leader of the Chongyi Church, a Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) Church which the only Christian church that is sanctioned by China to operate in the country. However, he was dismissed from his position as stated in a letter from the China Christian Council (CCC) on Jan. 18.

Yuese was reportedly removed from his position because he has publicly opposed the forcefully taking down of church crosses across Zhejiang province since 2014.

China Aid discovers Yuese's status from his friends and relatives. A formal announcement from the government is expected in the coming days as where the pastor was brought and when he shall be freed.

Pastor Gu has served as the senior pastor and leader for the Chongyi Church for more than 10 years. He is currently a member of the national committee of the country's CCC and the chairman of CCC in Zhejiang.

"His arrest marks a major escalation in the crackdown against those who oppose the forced demolition of crosses," Bob Fu, China Aid president said.

"He will be the highest-ranking national church leader arrested since the Cultural Revolution," he added.