based religious rights group Cardinal Kung Foundation (CKF), reported Friday, November 11.
Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo, who is a member of the ‘underground’ Catholic Church in China, was reportedly taken from his home in the northern city of Zhengding, 240 kilometres (150 miles) southwest of the capital Beijing.
Two priests from his diocese – Li Suchuan and Yang Ermeng – are also under arrest, the CKF said. "It was the eighth time in two years that the bishop had been detained," explained the group, which investigates persecution of Catholics in China, in a statement obtained by the BosNewsLife Manila Bureau.
The CFK said police in Zhengding took him to a "study session," a reference to what human rights groups believe are widespread attempts by Chinese authorities to "re-educate" active Christians from congregations not affiliated with state-run churches. The exact whereabouts of the bishop and the priests were not immediately known Friday, November 11.
Chinese officials have not commented on the case.
MEETING IN SECRET
Many of China’s over 12-million Catholics are forced to meet in secret as they remain loyal to the Vatican, and many leaders have been imprisoned, religious rights watchers say.
China has no diplomatic relations with the Vatican, because it recognizes Taiwan. Beijing does not recognize the Roman Catholic Church, but has instead instituted its own "patriotic" Catholic organization, which does not recognize the pope’s authority and appoints its own bishops.
Joseph Kung, who is president of the CKF, urged countries entering into trade relations with China to pressure the Communist nation to improve its treatment of Christians. He said the International Olympic Committee should consider cancelling the 2008 Games in Beijing as "a bargaining chip to improve China’s human rights and religious freedom practice."
China’s government has denied human rights abuses, and says it only cracksdown on dangerous sects.
