China arrests Catholic bishop

BEIJING – China, which does not recognise the Vatican, has arrested an underground Roman Catholic bishop, a US-based religious rights group said, quashing hopes of any sudden rapprochement between Beijing and the Holy See.

China has not had diplomatic relations with the Vatican since 1951 and believers must attend state-sanctioned churches led by bishops who pledge loyalty to Beijing. But a parallel church loyal to the Pope practises in secret.”Bishop Jia Zhiguo, the underground Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Zheng Ding in Hebei province, was arrested again by two government officials at his house …and driven away to an unknown location,” the Cardinal Kung Foundation said.It said Jia, 70, was arrested on Monday but did not specify on what charge.The Vatican has regularly accused China of violating human rights and criticised the government for what it sees as the repression of religion, a charge the government denies.- Nampa-ReutersBut a parallel church loyal to the Pope practises in secret.”Bishop Jia Zhiguo, the underground Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Zheng Ding in Hebei province, was arrested again by two government officials at his house …and driven away to an unknown location,” the Cardinal Kung Foundation said.It said Jia, 70, was arrested on Monday but did not specify on what charge.The Vatican has regularly accused China of violating human rights and criticised the government for what it sees as the repression of religion, a charge the government denies.- Nampa-Reuters