Freedom of Religion

It's hard to believe sometimes that even in these modern times we don't have freedom of religion.
Take China for example:

Non-official Catholics in China are routinely detained for weeks at a time for inviting friends to worship at home. Priests have been sentenced to years in jail and some have simply disappeared.

That is, Catholics loyal to Rome are considered criminals in China. China has the so-called Patriotic Catholic Church which I think is analogous to the early Anglican church. They kept the doctrine, but the government is in charge of appointing the hierarchy. This of course also involved sticking the tongue out at Rome and going "neener neener neener." Ties to the Vatican have been severed since 1951, but there are reportedly 10 million faithful loyal to Rome in China.

Of course there is hope. Benedict is making efforts to resume communication with China. Hopefully the newly elevated Cardinal Zen will help in this process. According to the article linked above, Benedict is waiting for the time God dictates for him to visit China.

I hope it is soon, but it will happen on God's time and on His terms.
May His will be done.
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As a footnote there is also Abdul Rahman in Afghanistan who may face death at the hands of vigilantes for his conversion to Christianity.

... [H]undreds of clerics, students and others chanting "Death to Christians!" marched through the northern Afghan Mazar-i-Sharif to protest the court's decision Sunday to dismiss the case.

But that is the "religion of peace" for you.

Say a little prayer for those who do not enjoy religious freedom. Say another in thanksgiving that you have the freedom to do so.