Wenzhou: fine and demolition order, the new weapons against Bishop Shao

The authorities have imposed a 200,000 yuan fine on the prelate and threaten to demolish his "illegal” building for refusing to join official bodies and celebrating Mass with 200 worshippers. At Christmas he wrote to the faithful of the diocese inviting them to live the Jubilee of Hope in communion with the universal Church.

Milan (AsiaNews) – The authorities of the eastern province of Zhejiang have imposed a fine of 200,000  Yuan (US$ 27,500) on Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin of Wenzhou for celebrating a Mass in public with 200 worshippers, and ordered the demolition of the building where he carries out “illegal activities”, which includes a chapel and his residence.

Bishop Shao is not recognised by Chinese authorities since he refuses to join the official “Catholic” bodies controlled by the Communist Party of China.

As AsiaNews reported several times, the 61-year-old was ordained coadjutor bishop with a papal mandate in 2011, succeeding Bishop Vincent Zhu Wei-Fang at the helm of the diocese when the latter passed away in September 2016.

However, he was never recognised by the authorities who consider the see "vacant" and support Fr Ma Xianshi, a "patriotic" priest, as the leader of the local Catholic community.

For this reason, the "underground" bishop has been repeatedly arrested in the past few years, usually in conjunction with solemnities, to prevent the faithful from participating in services he leads.

The latest measures taken against him stem from a Mass he celebrated on 27 December with the participation of a large group of faithful.

As evinced by documents shown by local sources to AsiaNews, Longwan district authorities imposed heavy administrative restrictions after questioning him and on the basis of photographs taken in situ.

They claim that the five-year plan of the Diocese of Wenzhou (drafted by the "official" bodies of the diocese) indicate that the Mass Bishop Shao presided over was illegal, violating Article 71 of Religious Affairs Regulations, a serious offence punishable with a 200,000 yuan fine.

Another office of the local administration in Wenzhou issued a second order against the building where the rite took place, which is the chapel and Bishop Shao’s residence.

The bishop is accused of "unauthorised construction" covering an area of “about 200 square metres”, in violation of Article 40 of the Urban Planning Law, punishable with a second fine of 200,000 yuan and the demolition of the structure.

So, after arresting him several times, now Zhejiang provincial authorities are using administrative tools against the underground bishop.

This coincides with a crackdown against bishops and priests who refuse to register, like Bishop Guo Xijing of Mindong, Fujian Province.

It is worth noting that on Christmas, Bishop Shao in Wenzhou issued a letter in which he exhorted the faithful to live the Jubilee in communion with the universal Church.

In it, the prelate exhorts every parish to study and reflect on Pope Francis’s Bull of Indiction, to recite the prayer of the Holy Year every day at the end of the Mass, designating every church in the diocese as a place to live the Jubilee pilgrimage.

“I hope that this Jubilee will strengthen our faith, stimulate our hope, and make us grow in charity. For hope is born of love and ‘does not disappoint’ (Romans 5:5),” wrote Bishop Shao at the end of his Christmas message, unacceptable words to Chinese authorities, if said without first submitting to the rigid control of the Party.

• china
• zhejiang
• wenzhou
• bishop peter shao zhumin
• repression
• communist party