Asia News: Unregistered Catholic Priests Released in Hebei Province, but Bishop Detained

May 24, 2005

On April 28, public security bureaus in several Hebei province locations released seven unregistered Catholic priests who had been detained the previous day, reports AsiaNews. Security officers detained the priests while they were attending a religious retreat with Bishop Jia Zhiguo. Local sources said that public security officials detained the priests because the retreat was held outside their home county.

On April 28, public security bureaus in several Hebei province locations released seven unregistered Catholic priests who had been detained the previous day, reports AsiaNews. Security officers detained the priests while they were attending a religious retreat with Bishop Jia Zhiguo. Local sources said that public security officials detained the priests because the retreat was held outside their home county.

AsiaNews also reports that Yao Liang, auxiliary bishop of Xiwanzi in Hebei province, was detained on March 30, released about April 20, and subsequently detained again. According to the news account, Chinese security authorities are subjecting Bishop Yao to a program of "re-education" to force him to register with the Catholic Patriotic Association, the government-approved Catholic organization.