Release Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin now!
Tell Chinese Authorities: Release arrested Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin now!
Tell Chinese Authorities: Release arrested Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin now!
Chinese authorities have detained and re-located a Roman Catholic Bishop, Peter Shao Zhumin, away from his home diocese, because, following the death of the senior Bishop in his diocese (Bishop Zhu), he (Bishop Shao) was set to be installed as the new, senior Bishop (and, full administrator) of Zhejiang (Wenzhou) - which boasts a Catholic population of 120,000.
What is the "crime" for which Bishop Shao has been detained and taken "on a trip" by police (according to Asianews.it)?
The answer is that he was appointed as Bishop by the Vatican, and not by the Communist-Party-controlled "Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association", thereby making him a Bishop of the so-called "Underground Church" in the eyes of the authorities.
It is accepted, however, that, even though "unofficial", Bishop Shao had openly served as Co-Adjutor Bishop (i.e., Assistant Bishop) under the late Bishop Zhu, who was part of the "official" Church.
This fact was widely known by the authorities for at least 5 years.
Either way, Bishop Shao's detention and exile is a regrettable and retrograde step where religious freedom is concerned! Especially for a country like China, which has, in recent years, made some strides in the right direction.
But, in order to welcome China into the "Developed World" of human rights, the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities - like that suffered among Christian converts in Tibet, or among the Muslim Uighurs - as well as systematic programs which try to erase Christian symbols from the landscape - like the demolition of 1,200 crosses in Zhejiang Province - must end.
And, specifically, in the case of Bishop Shao, China must recognise that the Vatican is the spiritual and juridical headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.
As such, Bishop Shao is a licitly appointed bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, and has the right and duty to lead the flock of faithful in the Diocese of Zhejiang (Wenzhou).
This petition, therefore, makes two demands:
1) Through the channel of their foreign ministry (i.e., ambassadors to the EU and US), it asks Chinese authorities for the return of Bishop Shao to his diocese, so that he can be installed as the successor of the late Bishop Zhu.
2) It asks the US Ambassador at-large for International Religious Freedom and the EU's Ambassador to China, to consider launching investigations into this case over religious freedom and human rights violations.
Obviously, any documented violations of religious freedom and human rights should be raised in public and private diplomatic discussions. The importance of religious freedom and human rights in the developed world should be underlined - and should be a known prerequisite for China being invited to the "top table" of nations belonging to the developed world.
Thank you for signing this important petition for religious freedom.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
https://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=29283
(Page 20): http://www.china-zentrum.de/fileadmin/redaktion/RCTC_2012-2_Complete_Issue.pdf
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Releasing Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin would bring China one step closer to joining the "Developed World" of human rights
For the Kind Attention of the following Ambassadors:
- US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom - Hon David Saperstein
- Chinese Ambassador to the US - Hon Cui Tiankai
- EU Ambassador to China - Hon Hans Dietmar Schweisgut
- Chinese Ambassador to the EU - Hon Yang Yanyi
Chinese authorities have arrested and temporarily exiled Roman Catholic Bishop, Peter Shao Zhumin.
Bishop Shao was appointed as Bishop in 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI, without the formal approval of the Communist-Party-controlled "Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association".
However, for at least the last 5 years, Bishop Shao openly worked as Co-Adjutor Bishop (i.e., Assistant Bishop), under the senior Bishop of the Diocese, Bishop Zhu, who, himself, was part of the "official" state-recognised Church.
Chinese authorities knew about this arrangement and, by their inaction, tacitly approved of Bishop Shao's administrative role in the Diocese of Zhejiang (Wenzhou). But with the recent passing of Bishop Zhu, the state suddenly swung into action against Bishop Shao - resulting in his disappearance and re-location.
This is a regrettable and retrograde step for China, which has recently made strides in the right direction on the issues of religious freedom and human rights abuses.
With this firmly in mind, we, the undersigned, call on the Chinese authorities to release Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin with immediate effect, and return him to his home diocese of Zhejiang (Wenzhou), where he can be free to lead his flock.
As a second demand, we call on the US State Department and the EU Department of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to investigate and monitor this particular case, with a view to discussing, with their Chinese counterparts, the importance of religious freedom as a human right - especially with those countries who want to continue to remain trading partners in "good standing" with the US and EU.
To be admitted to the "Developed World" of human rights, China needs to seriously consider its stand on freedom of religion. After 30 years of economic liberalisation, it is now time to liberalise the marketplace of ideas and belief.
Releasing and reinstating Bishop Shao would be a good start.
Releasing Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin would bring China one step closer to joining the "Developed World" of human rights
For the Kind Attention of the following Ambassadors:
- US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom - Hon David Saperstein
- Chinese Ambassador to the US - Hon Cui Tiankai
- EU Ambassador to China - Hon Hans Dietmar Schweisgut
- Chinese Ambassador to the EU - Hon Yang Yanyi
Chinese authorities have arrested and temporarily exiled Roman Catholic Bishop, Peter Shao Zhumin.
Bishop Shao was appointed as Bishop in 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI, without the formal approval of the Communist-Party-controlled "Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association".
However, for at least the last 5 years, Bishop Shao openly worked as Co-Adjutor Bishop (i.e., Assistant Bishop), under the senior Bishop of the Diocese, Bishop Zhu, who, himself, was part of the "official" state-recognised Church.
Chinese authorities knew about this arrangement and, by their inaction, tacitly approved of Bishop Shao's administrative role in the Diocese of Zhejiang (Wenzhou). But with the recent passing of Bishop Zhu, the state suddenly swung into action against Bishop Shao - resulting in his disappearance and re-location.
This is a regrettable and retrograde step for China, which has recently made strides in the right direction on the issues of religious freedom and human rights abuses.
With this firmly in mind, we, the undersigned, call on the Chinese authorities to release Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin with immediate effect, and return him to his home diocese of Zhejiang (Wenzhou), where he can be free to lead his flock.
As a second demand, we call on the US State Department and the EU Department of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to investigate and monitor this particular case, with a view to discussing, with their Chinese counterparts, the importance of religious freedom as a human right - especially with those countries who want to continue to remain trading partners in "good standing" with the US and EU.
To be admitted to the "Developed World" of human rights, China needs to seriously consider its stand on freedom of religion. After 30 years of economic liberalisation, it is now time to liberalise the marketplace of ideas and belief.
Releasing and reinstating Bishop Shao would be a good start.
