Secret Agreement Extended - Over Head Of Imprisoned Bishops
The content of the agreement is still secret. Cardinal Parolin told VaticanNews.va (October 22) that “since 2018, all bishops in the Catholic Church in China have been in full communion with the Communist government Peter’s Successor.”
In reality, many heroic underground bishops remain unrecognised by the state as heads of their dioceses. Further facts:
• Since 2018, there were only six episcopal appointments, two already agreed before.
• Six more bishops have been mutually recognised.
• The last episcopal consecration was in autumn 2021.
• The Chinese government has merged the 147 dioceses into 97.
• 36 of them are without bishop.
• Many bishops are/have been in jail. Examples:
- Xuanhua Bishop Augustine Cui Tai, 72 (disappeared since 2007).
- Zhengding Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo (arrested in August 2020, died in custody).
- Xinxiang Bishop Joseph Zhang Weizhu, 55 (imprisoned in May 2021).
- Wenzhou Bishop Peter Shao Zumin, 59, (arrested in April 2022).
- Xiapu-Mindong Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Guo Xijin (under house arrest).
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