Chinese bishop dies, police take coadjutor into custody

September 07, 2016

Bishop Vincent Zhu Weifang of Wenzhou, China, who spent more than 20 years in prison camps, has died at the age of 90.

After years serving the "underground" Church, Bishop Zhu finally received official recognition from the government in 2010. But his conflicts with the government continued, as he denounced a campaign to destroy crosses on church buildings.

Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin, the coadjutor bishop of Wenzhou, was designated to succeed Bishop Zhu. But as the elderly bishop's health deteriorated, in late August police took Bishop Shao into custody and removed him from the province-- apparently to ensure that he would not preside at Bishop Zhu's funeral, and perhaps in order to install another government-appointed bishop in the diocese in defiance of Rome.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Bishop Zhu Weifang of Wenzhou, the city of demolished crosses, has died (AsiaNews)