Chinese arrest successor to late Zhejiang Bishop

Authorities in Wenzhou, in the Chinese province of Zhejiang, have arrested the Vatican-appointed coadjutor bishop following the death of his government-approved superior. 

Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin was reportedly lifted as the death drew near of the ailing 89-year-old Bishop Vincent Zhu Weifang. 

Bishop Zhumin’s secretary, Fr Paul Jiang Sunian was also reportedly arrested. The move has been interpreted by supporters as one designed to thwart any move to create Bishop Zhumin as an acceptable successor to the late Bishop Weifang. 

A stalwart leader of Catholics, Bishop Weifang had eventually sought recognition from the ‘official’ Church in China after many years of imprisonment and house arrest for his loyalty to Rome.