Vatican cardinal lauds release of ‘underground’ bishop
July 14, 2010
Cardinal Ivan Dias, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, has sent a message to Bishop Jia Zhiguo of Zhengding, a 75-year-old bishop faithful to the Holy See who was released from detention on July 8. Bishop Jia, whose ministry is not recognized by the Chinese government, has been arrested 13 times since 2004 and had previously been imprisoned for 18 years.
“With great joy I received the news that you have returned to your diocese,” Cardinal Dias wrote. “This news makes me very happy. The Holy Father sends a special apostolic blessing to you and to all your faithful.”
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Further information:
- Cardinal Dias, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, sends a message to Bishop Julio Jia Zhiguo (Fides)
- China: ‘Underground’ bishop freed from detention (CWN, 7/8)
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Posted by: Defender -
Jul. 14, 2010 1:16 PM ET USA
Arrested 13 times in 8 years...Chinese police can keep someone for a year without charging them with a crime. The Vatican engages in a lot of wishful thinking when it comes to China, as do most other countries. There are many who have remained loyal to the pope and are increasingly being ignored. Look at Hong Kong and see how the communist government has lied. HK's cardinal has been ignored while the Jesuits and Maryknollers seem to have greater influence over the Vatican's dealings with China.
