BISHOP JULIUS JIA

Motion Text

That this House notes with distress the treatment of Catholic Bishop Julius Jia by the Chinese Government; recognises the important work he has done in the community establishing an orphanage in 1991 for unwanted children; expresses its dismay at his treatment by the Chinese Government who ban him from worshipping and subject him to house arrest; notes that he has spent more than 20 years in jail, being arrested on more than 30 occasions; further notes that as Christmas approaches this is a particularly dangerous time for Bishop Jia; and calls on the Chinese Government to promote religious tolerance and allow Bishop Jia and Catholics across China to practise their faith.