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China Detains Bishop Amid Crackdown On Unregistered Groups
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BEJING (Worthy News)— China’s communist authorities have rearrested a Catholic bishop over his refusal to join the state-controlled Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association overseeing churches, Christians told Worthy News Thursday.
Peter Shao Zhumin, a Catholic priest appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as an auxiliary bishop, became the bishop of the Diocese of Wenzhou in 2016.
“However, over the years, Bishop Shao has opposed the dictates of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
He refused to join the state-controlled Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, not acknowledging its authority over the church,” explained the well-informed advocacy group Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC).
In response, the official association reportedly appointed a different bishop to replace him, but “many members of the diocese do not recognize” him as bishop, VOMC added.
Bishop Shao has been arrested on at least two prior occasions because of his refusal “to yield to the Chinese Communist Party” pressure, Christians said.
CELEBRATING MASS
“The most recent incident arose after he publicly celebrated mass on December 27. Authorities of the CCP imposed a fine of 200,000 yuan (around $28,000), which the church leader challenged, insisting that no laws were violated,” VOMC told Worthy News. “In response, police officials from the Public Security Bureau arrested him on March 7, claiming that the arrest was for his own safety.”
The case has underscored broader concerns among devoted Christians about a reported intensified crackdown by Chinese security officials against “unregistered” Christian groups and other religious gatherings.
Christians opposing registration say they do not want China’s Communist leadership to decide on their Christian activities.
Plainclothes officers regularly attend unregistered churches “to ban children and teenagers from entering, or to prevent services from taking place altogether,”‘Christians said.
In social media, the CCP celebrated its increase in “governmental persecution” of faith minorities, including Christians, throughout 202, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The CCP said it was part of its “intensified efforts to dismantle cult organizations.”
CULT TERM
The term “cult” is used to describe beliefs deemed anti-government or those that fail to comply with the principles of the CCP, according to VOMC investigators.
“Based on recent trends, this increased persecution is expected to continue during 2025,” VOMC warned.
The group told Worthy News it had asked Christians to “Please prayerfully uphold Bishop Shao as he now deals with this most recent incident of persecution, asking the Lord to advocate on his behalf.
In the midst of governmental opposition, may this faithful church leader – along with the many other arrested or fined Christians throughout China – remain strong in their resolve to honor God in both word and deed.”
VOMC said it is also praying “for a spiritual awakening to take place among CCP leaders and local officials who actively oppose Christianity” so that “they too would yield to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.”
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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