Fifty young pilgrims' trip to World Youth Day in Poland was halted abruptly when the Chinese government allegedly forced them off a plane bound for Krakow.
The plane was already on the runway when Beijing airport officials forced the delegates to disembark, then proceeding to interrogate them and ordering them not to contact anyone abroad.
The group of pilgrims were made up of members from the dioceses of Beijing and surroundings. The incident was brought to light when the parish priest leading the group reported the events to a young Chinese Catholic, who then told AsiaNews.
After failing to find European sponsors, the group applied for visas by visiting a Polish consular office in Beijing. The delegation has been accused of violating the guidelines for travelling abroad and has withdrawn their passports. The pastor was threatened with serious consequences if there was further violation of law.
World Youth Day is an event organized by the Catholic Church typically occuring once every three years, drawing millions to the festival centred upon Jesus Christ.
Beijing is keeping a close watch on the Chinese nationals who have made it to the event. According to an anonymous source, AsiaNews reports the government has asked its citizens in Poland to visit the World Youth Day sites to gather information from other Catholic groups.
A shadow has been cast over the event after a priest was murdered during a mass being held in a French church when Islamists entered and attacked.