At least 30 Vietnamese government agents broke up a Sunday Mass and assaulted those who attended the service held at a home in the country’s north-west, Asia News reports.

The mass conducted by Father Joseph Nguyen Van Than, was held at a house which was used as a church in Muong Khuong district, Lao Cai province, near the Chinese border.

It’s believed that police and officials forcibly dispersed about 70 Catholics while several were beaten and arrested. It’s unclear if Fr Joseph was beaten but Asia News reported the priest was required to go to the police station for interrogation.

There are more than 5.6 million Catholics in Vietnam. The Vietnamese constitution maintains freedom of worship is allowed, yet churches can only operate with government permission.