In 1997, Su Zhimin, the underground Bishop of Baoding, Hebei, China was arrested and was not heard from until he was taken to hospital for treatment in mid-November. According a November 20 report in Zenit, Bishop Su was taken to the Baoding Central Hospital for an eye operation and for heart ailments. His name was never officially registered at the hospital and he was closely guarded by about twenty security personnel. Su has been arrested at least five times and spent approximately twenty-seven years in prison.
According to the Cardinal Kung Foundation, every bishop of the underground Roman Catholic Church is currently in jail, under house arrest, under strict surveillance or in hiding. Earlier this month, it was reported by the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy that over four hundred Buddhist temples and Christian churches were closed in Zhejiang province; some destroyed by authorities while others were converted into entertainment centres.
Bishop Ding Guangxun |
Pray for the Church in China suffering under the repression of the Communist government. Pray for the hundreds of Christians in prison for their faith. Pray for strength and healing for Bishop Su. Pray for his and other church leaders' release.