BEIJING, FEB. 12, 2003 (Zenit.org).- An underground priest was arrested by the Chinese authorities last Christmas when he was on his way to celebrate Midnight Mass, the U.S.-based Cardinal Kung Foundation reports.
Father Dong Yingmu, 37, a priest serving the Diocese of Baoding, Hebei, was first kept in Qingyuan county detention house for about a month, and was subsequently sent to a prison in Quyang county, the Kung Foundation said. Quingyang police deny the priest's detention, the group added.
The Kung Foundation also reported that two bishops and eight other priests, belonging to the underground Diocese of Baoding, are either missing or in various prisons and labor camps.
Bishop S.U. Zhimin, 70, was arrested in October 1997. His whereabouts are unknown, the Kung Foundation said.
Auxiliary Bishop A.N. Shuxin, 53, was arrested in March 1996. He has also disappeared, the group said.
ZENIT Daily dispatch - The World Seen from Rome
12. februar 2003