China has said it opposes outside interference in its internal affairs after the Vatican expressed concern this week about a Chinese bishop who has been in government custody for almost 10 months and moved repeatedly in an apparent attempt to prevent him from assuming leadership of his diocese.
“The Holy See is following with grave concern the personal situation of Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin of Wenzhou, forcibly removed from his episcopal see some time ago," said Greg Burke, director of the Vatican press office, in a statement on 26 June.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China protects the right to religious belief in accordance with the law along with "normal" religious activities, but "like other countries" had strengthened their management of religious management.
"We oppose any country, any party, using so-called individual cases to interfere in China's internal affairs," Lu added on 27 June, Reuters reported.
The government has not publicly commented on where the bishop might be or what has happened to him.
The Vatican and China, which severed diplomatic ties in 1951, remain divided over the issue of how bishops are appointed.
The Vatican insists that the Pope has the final say on who becomes a bishop, while the Communist Government in Beijing claims final jurisdiction over these appointments.
Differences on the question have led – amongst other factors - to the evolution of two Catholic “Churches” in China, separate in some ways but connected in others. The unofficial or “underground” Church accepts the primary authority of the Pope, and the official or “Patriotic” Church (the CCPA) recognises the final authority of the Communist Government in Beijing.
Yet, in February Cardinal John Tong of Hong Kong issued a “progress report” on the ongoing dialogue between the Beijing Government and the Vatican, claiming that the core issue of disagreement regarding the appointment of China’s bishops is close to resolution.
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