Bishop Shao Arrested for Celebrating Mass
(Wenzhou, Zhejiang – March 7, 2025) The underground bishop of the Catholic Church in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, was arrested by the Public Security Bureau for refusing to pay a fine of 200,000 RMB. The fine was imposed because he celebrated a Mass on December 27. The underground church has launched a prayer campaign in support of Bishop Shao. Last week, he wrote a letter to the faithful, urging them to attend Mass and pray the Rosary for the health of Pope Francis.
Authorities Declare Mass “Illegal” and Impose Heavy Penalty
According to AsiaNews, at noon on March 7, Chinese security police arrested Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin of the underground Catholic Diocese of Wenzhou as punishment for presiding over the opening Mass of the Holy Year on December 27 last year, which was attended by 200 people.
Authorities claimed that the religious ceremony was “illegal” and a “serious crime” that violated Article 71 of the “Regulations of Religious Affairs”. He was fined 200,000 RMB ($26,500), but Bishop Shao contested the penalty, insisting that the church’s activities did not break any laws.
Even the Wenzhou Public Security Bureau acknowledged the unjust nature of the punishment, later justifying the arrest as being for his “safety.” His current whereabouts remain unknown, and it is unclear how long he will be detained. This mirrors the way he has been forcibly taken away multiple times in the past, raising concerns among his congregation about his safety and well-being.
Crackdown Expands: Pilgrimages and Youth Mass Attendance Targeted
Additionally, reports indicate that the Public Security Bureau and religious affairs authorities have blocked hundreds of believers from the Cangnan Parish, which belongs to the Wenzhou Diocese, from participating in a pilgrimage.
In recent years, plainclothes officers have regularly entered Wenzhou’s underground churches every Sunday to prevent children and teenagers from attending Mass.
More recently, the Public Security Bureau has shifted its strategy by delegating church surveillance to local sub-district offices. Officials are assigned to monitor churches from 7 a.m. to noon, preventing children and teenagers from entering and stopping priests from holding Mass.
This strict control is not limited to Catholic churches. Authorities have imposed similarly harsh restrictions on Protestant children and teenagers. This is a blatant violation of the constitutional right to freedom of religion.
Government Installs “Patriotic” Church Leader to Replace Bishop Shao
Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin was appointed auxiliary bishop in 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI to succeed Bishop Vincent Zhu Weifang, who passed away in September 2016. Because Bishop Shao refused to join the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, the authorities installed their own proxy, the “patriotic” priest Ma Xianshi, as the leader of the local Catholic community, deliberately interfering in the church and causing disruption in church affairs.
Call for Prayer for Bishop Shao
The underground Catholic Church in Wenzhou has initiated a prayer campaign in support of Bishop Shao.
On February 25, Bishop Shao wrote a letter to the entire diocese, calling on believers to pray for Pope Francis, participate in Masses he presides over, and recite the Rosary, asking God to support the ailing Pope with the Lord’s grace.
This report was based on an article from AsiaNews.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai of ChinaAid)