“This action publicly challenges the principle of independent, autonomous, domestically organised, and therefore represents a rude interference in Chinese religious affairs,” Ma expressed in a statement Friday.
Leaders of the Lausanne Movement, which is spearheading the Congress, however, say TSPM/CCC representatives were invited but had turned down the invitation.
The likely reason the invitations were turned down is because on-site participants of the Congress are required to affirm The Lausanne Covenant and commit to Lausanne’s vision, integral parts of which center on global evangelisation.
TSPM/CCC, in keeping in line with the Chinese government, approves only of evangelism in state-approved religious venues and private settings. Public evangelism is prohibited. Furthermore, critics have accused the organisation’s leaders of placing submission to the state's authority above submission to Christ's authority.
The Lausanne Covenant, on the other hand, clearly states under its section on “Freedom and Persecution” that it is the "God-appointed duty of every government to secure conditions of peace, justice and liberty in which the Church may obey God, serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and preach the gospel without interference”.
“We also express our deep concern for all who have been unjustly imprisoned, and especially for those who are suffering for their testimony to the Lord Jesus. We promise to pray and work for their freedom,” it adds.
With the Lausanne Congress set to officially commence Sunday, it is unclear how many of the 200 or so invitees from China will be able to get out of the country in time.
A number of groups, including the US-based National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), have called upon the Chinese government to lift its restrictions and uphold religious freedom and the right to travel.
The travel ban, NAE noted in a statement Friday, violates the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, which states that "every person has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country".
"This is surprising and disappointing," said NAE President Leith Anderson, who will be attending the gathering in Cape Town. "The People's Republic of China has recently welcomed dialogue with international Christians. I expected the Chinese to celebrate their presence and influence at Cape Town 2010 with delegations from 200 countries. I hope this is just a bureaucratic misunderstanding that will quickly be resolved so that China won't be the only country left out."
Starting Sunday, the Lausanne Congress will bring together 4,000 Christian leaders from around the world to discuss the future of the Church and world evangelisation.
The Congress in Cape Town is the third major one to be held by the Lausanne Movement since 1974, when a committee headed by world renowned evangelist Billy Graham called for the first gathering.
The Third Congress, also referred to as Cape Town 2010, will be held October 16 to 25 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
