Posted on 09/15/2016 7:03:44 PM PDT by marshmallow
FEARS are growing for a bishop who has been arrested by Chinese authorities during the regime’s latest crackdown in religion.
Bishop Peter Shao Zhu Min was detained by officials who reportedly took him “on a trip” sparking concern he has been transported to a labour camp.
The Bishop had recently taken over as the Bishop of Wenzhou following the death of his 89-year-old predecessor.
Despite Bishop Shao being recognised by the Vatican, Chinese authorities say he was not approved by the government.
The 53-year-old was preparing for his predecessor Bishop Vincent Zhu Weifang’s funeral, which was attended by more than 5,000 Catholics according to local media.
Bishop Saho and three priests were arrested ahead of the service and local sources claim the men were “taken on a tour of north west China”.
Up to 120,000 Christians live in the Wenzhou region with many following Bishop Shao’s government-approved predecessor.
Pope Benedict XVI ordained Bishop Zhu in 2007 and approved Shao as his coadjutor which under canon law means he would take over the diocese when the bishop retires or dies.
Wenzhou diocese, in the south eastern Zhejiang province, is currently divided with an underground church movement and government-sanctioned worship.
Chinese officials are said to be lining up a government-approved bishop but worshippers say they will wait for Bishop Shao to return.
One Catholic from Wenzhou diocese, said: “If Bishop Shao surfaces to lead the whole diocese of Wenzhou, he has to overcome many problems, including the permission of the government, but the priests and the faithful in the open community welcome him.”
The communist party strictly monitors religion with Christians expected to attend state-approved churches.
(Excerpt) Read more at express.co.uk ...
Once a commie thug, always a commie gut
Maybe China ain’t the place to play Bishop?
I see an imposing spiked wrought iron gate with the phrase “work makes you free” written out in chinese characters across the top.
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