Sources say underground Chinese bishop released but closely watched

Published: 2006-04-25

HONG KONG (CNS) -- An underground bishop in northern China was recently released from more than five months of detention but is being closely watched, said local Catholic sources. The sources told UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand, that Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo of Zhengding was returned to his church in Wuqiu village, in Hebei province, at about 5:15 p.m. April 19. The sources said Bishop Jia's latest detention, since Nov. 8, was his longest in recent years, since each previous detention usually lasted only a few days. A local Catholic who met the 70-year-old prelate after his release told UCA News April 24 that two officials are stationed at the church and Bishop Jia is under 24-hour surveillance. The bishop, who has suffered from a shoulder problem, now appears to be thinner, the Catholic also said. The same source added that the bishop has some freedom within the church compound, but the two officials follow him whenever he goes outside to visit Catholic families.

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