Security officials detain two Chinese underground church priests

Published: 2006-10-03

HONG KONG (CNS) -- Two Catholic priests from the underground church have been detained in eastern China after being taken away by public security officers. Father Peter Shao Zhumin and Father Paul Jiang Sunian of Wenzhou Diocese's underground community were taken from a layperson's apartment in Shenzhen Sept. 25, the same day they had returned from a trip to Europe. Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, is about 1,200 miles south of Beijing. Sources told UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand, that the layperson also was taken away but released after public security officials thoroughly searched the Catholic's home. Relatives of both priests were informed that they are being detained at Putaopeng Detention Center in Wenzhou, a church source said Oct. 3. Wenzhou city is about 880 miles southeast of Beijing. Relatives were able to send the priests some clothes and daily necessities but were not allowed to visit them, the source said, adding that public security officials had not yet charged the two priests.

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