ICC Note: Chinese underground Bishop Guo Xijin of Mindong returned to his parish in time for Easter service, after public security held him last week. He denied reports that he was abducted, but confirmed he was taken under the supervision of government officials. The status of underground clergy has come under renewed scrutiny as the Holy See and Beijing get ready to sign a deal over bishop appointment.

04/01/2018 China (Financial Times) – A Chinese ‘underground’ Catholic bishop — who was taken away from his parish by officials last week in a move that highlighted church-state tension as Beijing and the Vatican negotiate a landmark agreement — has returned to his congregation in time for Easter.

Guo Xijin, a bishop in the eastern province of Fujian, denied reports in Catholic media that he had been “kidnapped”, but confirmed he was taken to the nearby city of Xiamen for three days last week under the supervision of Communist party officials, before returning on Saturday.

“You can’t imagine a bishop leaving his church during Holy Week except under special circumstances,” Mr Guo said, referring to the week leading up to Easter. “I can’t say I was forced, but under certain circumstances there is no other option,” he added after a Sunday service, which attracted hundreds of people.

Mr Guo is one of several ‘underground’ bishops in China who are recognised by the Vatican but not by the state-controlled Catholic association. The country’s approximately 12m Catholics are divided between the two camps, which sometimes field rival bishops in the same diocese.

The status of clergy such as Mr Guo has come under renewed scrutiny as the Holy See and Beijing negotiate an agreement aimed at bridging the divide between the two groups dating back to 1951. The process has drawn mixed reactions from Catholics.

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