(Zhejiang province – February 15, 2025) Authorities in Wenzhou, located in southeastern Zhejiang Province, imposed a fine of 200,000 yuan (approximately USD 27,500) on a Catholic church as a penalty for Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin of Wenzhou openly presiding over a Mass attended by 200 worshippers, thereby imposing further restrictions on his religious activities.
According to AsiaNews, Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin of the Diocese of Wenzhou wrote a letter to the faithful of the Diocese last Christmas, inviting them to celebrate the Jubilee Year (2025) and be in communion with the Universal Church in the new year. On December 27, 2024, the bishop presided over a Mass at Sanjia Catholic Church in Longwan, with 22 priests and around 200 faithful in attendance.
Investigation and Penalty for Unauthorized Religious Activity
According to documents provided by local sources to AsiaNews, the Longwan District authorities in Wenzhou investigated the church and imposed strict administrative restrictions based on photos taken during the Mass.
A Comprehensive Administrative Enforcement Bureau in Longwan, Wenzhou, claimed that the Mass led by Bishop Shao was unlawful because it had not been registered with official religious authorities for approval. Therefore, it violated Article 71 of the Regulations on Religious Affairs, which is a serious offense warranting a fine of 200,000 yuan.
The department also issued a second order to Sanjia Catholic Church, where the Mass was held, requiring the church to attend a hearing on February 10. This appears to be the result of the church’s appeal against the administrative penalty.
Targeted Persecution of Bishop Shao and His Unwavering Faith
Currently, the church is accused of providing the “condition” of a venue for illegal religious activities.
Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin refuses to join China’s official Catholic association and has not received recognition from the Chinese authorities. He also declines to report to government religious departments. His steadfast loyalty to the Catholic faith has earned him the respect of local Catholics.
Public records indicate that the 61-year-old bishop was appointed by the Pope in 2011 as an auxiliary bishop. He succeeded Bishop Vincent Zhu Weifang, who passed away in September 2016, to lead the diocese.
The official name of the Diocese of Wenzhou is the Diocese of Yongjia (Dioecesis Iomchiavensis in Latin), which has an estimated 150,000 Catholics.
This faithful underground bishop has been arrested multiple times over the past few years. He has occasionally been forcibly disappeared for months, often just before holding solemn ceremonies, to prevent believers from attending services he presides over.
Authorities have promoted priest Ma Xianshi of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association as the leader of the local Catholic community, attempting to undermine Bishop Shao’s pastoral authority in the diocese and create obstacles to his leadership.
The Zhejiang provincial authorities are now resorting to administrative measures to target Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin.
China Aid Association strongly condemns the Chinese Communist authorities for using various administrative penalties to suppress the religious freedom of the Wenzhou Catholic Church. We call on the global Church of Jesus Christ to stand in solidarity with Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin, who has been persistently persecuted for upholding a pure and independent Christian faith.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai of ChinaAid)
