Tag: Wenzhou

Chinese ‘underground’ bishop detained by police for fifth time in two years

November 9, 2018 China Catholics, China, Hebei, Peter Shao Zhumin, Wenzhou, Zhejiang

China's catholic dioceses are to respond to the government led campaign of the 'sinicization of religion' with a plan of action. (Photo: World Watch Monitor)

Chinese “underground” bishop Peter Shao Zhumin of the coastal city of Wenzhou, in Zhejiang province, was taken by police this morning, 9 November, reports AsiaNews. He is expected to be held for 10-15 days, the news site reported, adding that while the police generally calls these times “vacation periods … . . . Read More

China introduces three-person teams to monitor religious groups

October 23, 2018 China Catholics, China, Churches, Sinicisation, Three-Self Patriotic Movement, Wenzhou

In Wenzhou city – also dubbed “China’s Jerusalem” – teams of three government officials will now monitor the activities of religious groups by keeping their meeting-places under observation, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Alongside other requirements, the groups must align their teachings with the agenda of the government. The teams . . . Read More

China: 6 churches closed, crosses removed from 3 others

October 19, 2018 China Beijing, Catholics, China, Guiyang, Guizhou, Henan, Protestants, Wenzhou

Authorities in China have closed at least six “underground” Protestant churches in Guizhou province in Southwest China, reports CSW. The churches in Guiyang city were closed on 8 October on account of being “illegal religious venues”. “Unregistered churches in the area have been under pressure from authorities to join the . . . Read More

No news of Chinese Catholic priest missing for 8 months

September 4, 2018 China Catholics, China, Peter Shao Zhumin, Wenzhou

Nothing has been heard from a Chinese Catholic priest missing for eight months after he was taken away by the authorities in December 2017, Catholic news agency UCAN reports. All contact with Fr. Lu Danhua was lost after the personnel of Qingtian Religious Affairs Bureau visited him in his dormitory . . . Read More

China: New book explains ‘explosive’ growth of Christianity

June 25, 2018 China China, Communism, Crosses, Henan, Mao Zedong, Shandong, Wenzhou, Zhejiang

One of the largest Chinese state approved Three Self churches in the world is located in Hangzhou city, the capital of southeastern Zejiang province, and seats 5,000 people. (Photo: World Watch Monitor)

A new book describes the growth of Christianity in China, despite attempts by the government to clamp down on religion. “Things are heading back to how they were in the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and ’70s. Believers in some provinces have already told us things there are ‘just like . . . Read More

Chinese priest missing after ‘brief chat’ with authorities

January 11, 2018 China China, Peter Shao Zhumin, Protestants, Wenzhou, Zhejiang

China's Communist Party is trying to suppress rapid growth among religions.(Photo: World Watch Monitor)

A Chinese priest has been missing from his home town in China’s eastern Zhejiang province since government officials took him away just after Christmas “for a brief chat”. Father Lu Danhua was taken from a priest’s dormitory on 29 December by officials of the State Administration for Religious Affairs to . . . Read More

Chinese church leaders released, as parents ignore religious-teaching ban

January 5, 2018 China Chongyi Church, Education, Hangzhou, Joseph Gu, Peter Shao Zhumin, Religious freedom, Shaanxi, Wenzhou, Zhejiang

A Chinese Christian holds a Bible standing outside the largest Chinese church in the world: the Three Self church which seats 5,000 people, in Hangzhou city. (Photo: World Watch Monitor)

Chinese bishop Peter Shao Zhumin of the coastal city of Wenzhou, Zhejiang, was released on Wednesday (3 January) after being detained for seven months – the second high-profile church leader released in the past two weeks. It is thought international pressure helped secure the bishop’s release, according to AsiaNews. In . . . Read More

Chinese bishop who disappeared in April resurfaces in Beijing hospital

September 12, 2017 China China, Peter Shao Zhumin, Wenzhou, Zhejiang

A church building in Wenzhou carrying a cross on top. Churches in Zeijang province have been under pressure to remove their crosses in recent years.

The Chinese Bishop of Wenzhou, Peter Shao Zhumin, has resurfaced in a Beijing hospital reportedly to undergo ear surgery, after he was taken away from his diocese by security officials in April. According to the Catholic news site UCAN the bishop re-appeared via the social media app WeChat, through which . . . Read More

China bans children – and their teachers – from churches

September 8, 2017 China Children, China, Communism, Fujian, Henan, Inner Mongolia, Jiangsu, Three-Self Patriotic Movement, Wenzhou, Zhejiang

Unofficial estimates say that there are close to 100 million Christians in China, more than are members of its Communist Party, due to hold its 19th five-yearly National Congress in mid-October. But in several provinces, children were banned from attending Christian camps over the summer holidays while notices were issued . . . Read More

German ambassador makes rare criticism of China over religious freedom

June 28, 2017 China Beijing, Catholics, China, Churches, Crosses, Education, House churches, Peter Shao Zhumin, Religious freedom, Wenzhou, Zhejiang

The German ambassador to China has made an official request that the Beijing government release Peter Shao Zhumin, the bishop of Wenzhou, reports Asia News. It is thought to be the first request of this kind made to China in 10 years. In his official statement on his embassy’s website . . . Read More

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