Kung Foundation says eight priests, two seminarians arrested in China

Published: 2004-08-17

HONG KONG (CNS) -- Eight priests and two seminarians belonging to the underground church community in northern China have been arrested, according to the U.S.-based Cardinal Kung Foundation. The priests and seminarians were arrested Aug. 6 at about 6 p.m. in Sujiazhuang village, in Hebei province, while attending a religious retreat, according to the foundation's Aug. 16 statement. Among those arrested were Father Huo Junlong, administrator of Baoding Diocese, and Father Zhang Zhenquan, also of Baoding. One arrested priest was identified only by the surname Huang, and the names of the other seven were unknown. The Kung statement said those arrested were being detained at the public security office in Baoding, about 90 miles southwest of Beijing. On Aug. 17 a staff person at the public security office told UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand, that she was uncertain about the arrest, while another hung up the telephone after further inquiry. China is split into two Catholic churches: the government-approved Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the underground church community, which maintains ties with the Vatican.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .